When two atoms of different elements form a covalent bond, the electron pair is shared unequally.
Electronegativity represents attractive force exerted by the nucleus on shared electrons. Electron sharing between covalently bonded atoms takes place using the valence electron.
It depends upon the effective nuclear charge experienced by electron involved in formation of the covalent bond.
Electronegativity predicts the nature of the bond, or, how strong is the force of attraction that holds two atoms together.