neutral

[ noo-truhl, nyoo- ]

adjective

1. not taking part or giving assistance in a dispute or war between others:

   Sweden was a neutral nation during World War II.

2. not aligned with or supporting any side or position in a controversy:

   The arbitrator was absolutely neutral.

   Synonyms: uninvolved, unbiased, dispassionate, disinterested, impartial

3. of or belonging to a state or party that is not taking part or giving assistance in a dispute:

   Troops cannot be recruited from neutral territory.

4. of no particular kind, characteristics, etc.; indefinite (sometimes used in combination): The awards show has announced a new gender-neutral acting category alongside its longstanding Best Actress and Best Actor ones.

   She had a neutral personality that made no impression whatever.

   The awards show has announced a new gender-neutral acting category alongside its longstanding Best Actress and Best Actor ones.

5. (of a color or shade)
   1. gray; without hue; of zero chroma; achromatic.
   2. matching well with many or most other colors or shades, as white or beige.
6. Botany, Zoology. neuter.
7. not causing or reflecting a change in something:

   It is believed that the new tax law will be revenue neutral.

8. Chemistry. exhibiting neither acid nor alkaline qualities:

   neutral salts.

9. Physics.
   1. (of a particle) having no charge.
   2. (of an atom, molecule, collection of particles, fluid, or solid) having no net charge; electroneutral; not electrified.
   3. not magnetized.
10. Phonetics. (of a vowel) pronounced with the tongue relaxed in a central position, as the a in alive; reduced.

noun

1. a person or a nation that remains unaligned with any side, as in a controversy or war.
2. a citizen of a nation that does not join or support any side during a war.
3. Machinery, Automotive. the position or state of disengaged gears or other interconnecting parts:

   in neutral.

4. a neutral color.

neutral

/ ˈnjuːtrəl /

adjective

1. not siding with any party to a war or dispute
2. of, belonging to, or appropriate to a neutral party, country, etc

   neutral land

3. of no distinctive quality, characteristics, or type; indifferent
4. (of a colour such as white or black) having no hue; achromatic
5. (of a colour) dull, but harmonizing with most other colours
6. a less common term for neuter
7. chem neither acidic nor alkaline
8. physics having zero charge or potential
9. rare.
   having no magnetism
10. phonetics (of a vowel) articulated with the tongue relaxed in mid-central position and the lips midway between spread and rounded

    the word ``about'' begins with a neutral vowel

noun

1. a neutral person, nation, etc
2. a citizen of a neutral state
3. the position of the controls of a gearbox that leaves the transmission disengaged

neutral

/ no̅o̅′trəl /

1. Neither acid nor alkaline.
2. Having no inherent or net charge, especially electric charge.

Derived Forms

• ˈneutrally, adverb

Other Words From

• neutral·ly adverb
• anti·neutral adjective noun
• anti·neutral·ly adverb
• non·neutral adjective noun
• non·neutral·ly adverb
• quasi-neutral adjective
• quasi-neutral·ly adverb
• semi·neutral adjective
• un·neutral adjective
• un·neutral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of neutral¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin neutrālis “grammatically neuter,” from neutr- (stem of neuter neuter ( def ) ) + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of neutral¹

C16: from Latin neutrālis; see neuter

Example Sentences

The government is attempting to maintain a neutral stance.

From BBC

Six years earlier, the club’s board had declared the club neutral on issues of immigration.

From Salon

Trump himself, at least, was well-advised to stay neutral in the Senate leadership contest, knowing that this was one internal battle where his input would have limited effect, and where his instincts could have brought him to a place of embarrassment.

From Slate

The prime minister, a former director of public prosecutions, has previously supported assisted dying, but the government has pledged to remain neutral on the issue, and MPs are being allowed to vote according to their conscience rather than along party lines.

From BBC

Critics argue his changes have given prominence to hate-speech and misinformation - though he has argued the site is politically neutral.

From BBC

Related Words

• disinterested
• evenhanded
• fair-minded
• inactive
• indifferent
• nonaligned
• nonpartisan
• unbiased
• uncommitted
• undecided
• uninvolved