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View synonyms for neutral

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

neutral

/ no̅o̅trəl /

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

  • ˈneutrally, adverb
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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
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of neutral1

C16: from Latin neutrālis; see neuter
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Example Sentences

Most nonconference showdowns are now held at neutral sites as part of fundraising efforts for name, image and likeness purposes.

That essential element of his identity is presented as merely neutral fact, rather than the alienating circumstance it no doubt was.

It was not long ago that Finland and Sweden were still neutral states, although their infrastructure and “total defence system” date back to the Cold War.

From BBC

Most other automakers’ shares are stuck in neutral.

In Uefa competitions its football team have been playing their "home" matches at neutral venues, such as Hungary where Northern Ireland played them in October.

From BBC

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Neutraneutral axis