non-negative

non-negative — adjective

1. not expressing criticism or showing a bad result

1.形容詞C1
釋義

not expressing criticism or showing a bad result

例句

The first customer survey showed a non-negative reaction to the new menu.

non-negative reaction to a change

Wei gave the draft a non-negative review after one quick read.

non-negative review in evaluation

同義詞
  • neutral

    often means neither good nor bad, while non-negative can lean slightly favorable

  • positive

    more clearly favorable than non-negative

  • favorable

    formal word for a good opinion or result

反義詞
  • negative

    shows criticism, loss, or an unwanted result

  • critical

    focuses on open disapproval rather than a neutral view

文法句型

non-negative + reaction/review/result

be or remain non-negative about + change or event

用法筆記

Often used for comments, reviews, reactions, or results that are neutral or mildly favorable rather than clearly critical. Distinguish from sense 2, which is the mathematical use about values.

常見錯誤

❌The review was non-negative, so it was full of praise.
✅The review was non-negative, so it was not clearly critical.
💡'Non-negative' can be neutral as well as mildly positive.

2. equal to zero or bigger than zero in value

2.形容詞C1
釋義

equal to zero or bigger than zero in value

例句

The graph stays non-negative after month three in the model.

non-negative values on a graph

Charlotte checked that every score in the table was non-negative.

every score must be non-negative

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

non-negative + number/value/integer

be or stay non-negative

用法筆記

Used in mathematics, statistics, and computing for numbers, scores, or functions that never fall below zero. Unlike 'positive', this sense still includes zero.

常見錯誤

❌A non-negative number must be bigger than zero.
✅A non-negative number can be zero.
💡'Non-negative' includes zero as well as positive values.