Negotiable means open to discussion and change. When something is negotiable, it isn't fixed or final: people can talk it over and possibly reach a different agreement.

In business, a negotiable price means the seller might accept less than the listed amount if you make a good case. At a yard sale, prices are often negotiable: you might offer three dollars for a book marked at five, and the seller might agree. Your parents might say your bedtime is negotiable on weekends, meaning you can discuss staying up later if you have good reasons.

The opposite would be non-negotiable: something firm and unchangeable. A teacher might say that the rule against cheating is non-negotiable, meaning there's no discussion or exception. Store prices are usually non-negotiable: you pay what the tag says.

Some situations fall in between. Your teacher might say homework deadlines are generally non-negotiable, but they’re willing to negotiate if you're sick or have a genuine emergency. Understanding which things in life are negotiable and which aren't helps you see when it's worth asking for flexibility and when you need to accept the rules as they stand.