neutral

NOO-truhl/ˈn(j)uːtɹəl/UKNYOO-truhl/ˈnjuːtɹəl/

Noun pluralneutrals (some meanings)

17 meanings of neutral

1
adjective
Not taking one side in an argument, and fair to both.
Like a judge who listens to both sides without picking a favorite.
The teacher stayed neutral when the two students argued about who was right.
A good referee must be neutral and not favor either team.
Similarimpartial, unbiased, objective, fair, detached
Oppositebiased, partisan, partial, one-sided
Note
2
adjective
Not joining either side in a war or fight between others.
Like a kid who refuses to join either team when two groups of friends start fighting.
Switzerland stayed neutral during both world wars.
The small country chose to remain neutral when its neighbors went to war.
Similarnonaligned, uninvolved, impartial
Oppositebelligerent, aligned
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3
noununcountable
The gear setting where the engine does not turn the wheels.
Like pressing pause: the engine still runs, but the wheels stay still.
He put the car in neutral while waiting at the red light.
Always shift to neutral before you try to start the engine.
Note
4
adjective
Neither good nor bad, but somewhere in the middle.
Like the middle point on a scale that leans neither up nor down.
Her reaction to the news was neutral, neither happy nor upset.
The survey let people pick a neutral answer between yes and no.
Similarnoncommittal, impartial, middle
5
adjective
Neither helpful nor harmful in its effect.
Like a meal that neither makes you healthier nor makes you sick.
The change had a neutral effect, helping no one and hurting no one.
Doctors said the supplement was neutral for most healthy people.
Similarinnocuous
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6
adjective
Having no strong color, like a plain gray.
Like a plain gray sky with no bright color in it.
She painted the walls a neutral shade so any furniture would match.
The room used neutral tones of gray and beige.
Similarmuted, subdued, understated, pale
Oppositebright, vivid, bold
Note
7
nouncountable or uncountable
Someone who does not pick a side in an argument.
Like a referee who belongs to neither team.
As a neutral, she was trusted to settle the disagreement fairly.
Both sides agreed to let a neutral decide the outcome.
Similarmediator, arbiter, intermediary
Oppositepartisan
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8
adjective
Having no electric charge, or having equal positive and negative charge.
Like a tug-of-war where both teams pull equally hard, so nothing moves.
A neutral atom has the same number of protons and electrons.
The particle is neutral, so a magnet does not pull on it.
Similaruncharged
Oppositecharged
Note
9
adjective
Neither acidic nor basic, with a pH near 7.
Like the middle of a ruler, sitting halfway between acid and base.
Pure water is neutral, with a pH of about 7.
The test strip showed the liquid was neutral, neither acid nor base.
Oppositeacidic, alkaline
Note
10
nouncountable or uncountable
A country that stays out of a war and does not join either side, or someone from that country.
Like a kid who won't take a side when two friends argue.
Switzerland stayed a neutral and did not fight on either side.
The small neutrals tried to keep peace between the larger powers.
Oppositebelligerent, combatant

11
nouncountable or uncountable
A color like gray, beige, or cream that has no strong tint and goes with almost anything.
Like a plain background that lets brighter colors pop.
She painted the room a soft neutral so the furniture would stand out.
These warm neutrals make the whole outfit look calm.
12
nouncountable or uncountable
The wire in an electrical system that carries little or no voltage and helps complete the circuit safely.
Like the return pipe that carries water back after it has done its job.
The electrician joined the white wire to the neutral in the panel.
A loose neutral made the lights flicker all over the house.
Note
13
adjective
Not taking sides, and looking at things fairly without good or bad feelings.
Like a referee who does not cheer for either team.
The judge stayed neutral and listened carefully to both sides.
Try to stay neutral when your friends argue with each other.
Similarimpartial, unbiased, objective, detached, dispassionate
Oppositebiased, partisan, partial
Note
14
nouncountable or uncountable
A fair person or group chosen to settle an argument between two sides.
Like an outside helper who has no reason to favor either friend.
Both teams agreed to let a neutral decide the disputed point.
The two companies brought in neutrals to settle the contract fight.
Similararbitrator, arbiter, adjudicator, umpire
15
adjective
Having no male or female parts and making no seeds or offspring.
Like a plastic flower that looks real but can never make seeds.
The outer flowers on this plant are neutral and make no seeds.
Some plants grow neutral blooms that are neither male nor female.
Similarsexless
Oppositefertile
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16
adjective
In games, having a side that sits between good and bad, or between order and chaos.
Like a player who joins whichever team needs help that day.
My character is neutral, so she helps anyone who pays her.
A neutral hero does not always follow the rules or break them.
Note
17
adjective
Of a drink, made by fermenting and distilling but with nothing else added.
Like plain water that you can add any flavor to.
The vodka is made from a neutral spirit with nothing added.
They use a neutral base so the fruit flavor comes through clearly.
Similarunflavored, plain
Oppositeflavored
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin neutralis, which came into English through Middle French neutral.