Phrase guide

negative Nancy

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A person who is considered excessively and disagreeably pessimistic.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, idiomatic, informal

Examples

  • 2001, Sara Jane Sluke, Vanessa Torres, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Dealing with Stress for Teens "Be wary of being a Negative Nancy."

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: Debbie Downer, negative Ned, negative Nelly

Antonyms: positive Polly

2

noun

Meaning 2

Alternative letter-case form of negative Nancy.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 滿滿負能量的人 /满满负能量的人 (mǎnmǎn fù néngliàng de rén) — person who is considered excessively pessimistic
  • Finnish: neganiilo — person who is considered excessively pessimistic
  • Finnish: negatiivinen niilo — person who is considered excessively pessimistic
  • French: poupée qui fait non — person who is considered excessively pessimistic
  • French: pisse-froid — person who is considered excessively pessimistic
  • Russian: нытик (nytik) — person who is considered excessively pessimistic