Negative Correlation

An average association between two variables in which, as one variable increases in value, the other variable tends to decrease in value, and vice versa.

Example 1
The speed at which a car travels is negatively correlated with the time it takes to get to the intended destination: the faster the car travels, the shorter the time required to get to the intended destination tends to be.

Example 2
A student's motivation to do well in a course is negatively correlated with his or her number of absences: the higher the student's motivation, the lower his or her number of absences tends to be.

See: positive correlation