False-Negative Test Result

A false-negative test result is one that does not detect what is being tested even though it is present. A false-negative test result may thus suggest that a person does not have a disease or condition being tested for when in fact he or she does.

For example, a false-negative pregnancy test result would be one that does not detect the substance (human chorionic gonadotropin) that would confirm pregnancy, when in reality the woman is pregnant.