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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.

  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

  1. Neither acid nor alkaline.

  2. Having no inherent or net charge, especially electric charge.

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Other Word Forms

  • neutrally adverb
  • antineutral adjective
  • antineutrally adverb
  • nonneutral adjective
  • nonneutrally adverb
  • quasi-neutral adjective
  • quasi-neutrally adverb
  • semineutral adjective
  • unneutral adjective
  • unneutrally 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

Examples have not been reviewed.

Now, these AFC West foes meet on neutral ground to resume what hasn’t been much of a rivalry of late.

For the neutrals, London City Lionesses are an explosive addition to the WSL, a side who are threatening to disrupt the usual order.

From BBC

In the past, Xi appeared to keep his distance from Putin and Kim, and publicly maintain a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine.

From BBC

It used to be pretty neutral, and now it’s almost like you better choose a side before you watch this comic make their TV debut!

“We worked with the senator’s office, withdrew our opposition, and remain neutral,” he said.

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Neutraneutral axis