Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it forms a chemical bond. It helps predict how atoms will interact in molecules. The scale of electronegativity ranges from low values for metals to high values for nonmetals, with fluorine being the most electronegative element. In general, elements with high electronegativity tend to pull electrons closer, leading to polar bonds, while those with low electronegativity may lose electrons easily. Understanding electronegativity is essential for predicting the behavior of elements in chemical reactions and the properties of compounds they form.