double negativenoun [ C ]
uk/ˌdʌb.əl ˈneɡ.ə.tɪv/us/ˌdʌb.əl ˈneɡ.ə.t̬ɪv/the use of two negatives (= words that mean "no") in the same phrase or sentence:
The phrase "a not unfamiliar situation" is an example of a double negative.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Linguistics: grammatical terms
- ablative
- apposition
- attributive
- collocate
- comparative
- declension
- decline
- dependent clause
- grammar
- grammarian
- grammatical
- independent clause
- indirect object
- inflect
- interrogative
- modifier
- plurality
- qualify
- reflexive
- superlative
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