neutral
NYOO-truhl
Neutral (adj) means not taking sides in a conflict, dispute, or war. Example: “The referee must remain neutral and treat both teams exactly the same.”
adj
1
Not taking sides in a conflict, dispute, or war.
"The referee must remain neutral and treat both teams exactly the same."
"Switzerland remained neutral throughout much of the war."
"The mediator has to stay neutral between both parties."
2
Having no strong color, especially gray, beige, or similar tones.
"Neutral shades like grey and cream go well with almost any bright cushion."
"I chose a neutral carpet so the room would feel calm and simple."
"They painted the walls a neutral beige to suit any decor."
3
Chemically neither acidic nor alkaline, with a pH around 7.
"Test the soil first, because most vegetables grow best when it is close to neutral."
"The liquid turned green, which showed that it was neutral."
"Pure water is considered chemically neutral."
noun
1
The gear position in a vehicle where power is not sent to the wheels.
"Make sure the gearstick is in neutral before you start the engine."
"The lorry rolled slowly downhill because the driver had accidentally slipped into neutral."
"He put the car in neutral while waiting at the crossing."
How to use neutral
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot favoring any side, having no strong quality, or (in a car) the gear that disengages the engine from the wheels.
Common pairings
stay neutral
neutral colors
neutral gear
neutral pH
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Word forms
- Plural
- neutrals
- Comparative
- more neutral
- Superlative
- most neutral
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The referee must remain _____ and treat both teams exactly the same.
Etymology
From Middle French neutral, from Latin neutralis, itself built from neuter plus -alis.
Synonyms
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impartial
unbiased
nonpartisan
unaligned
disinterested
detached
inert
indifferent
achromatic
impersonal
electroneutral
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “neutral” mean?
The word “neutral” means not taking sides in a conflict, dispute, or war. In plain terms, not favoring any side, having no strong quality, or (in a car) the gear that disengages the engine from the wheels.
How do you pronounce “neutral”?
“Neutral” is pronounced NYOO-truhl (/ˈnuː.tɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “neutral” in a sentence?
Here is “neutral” used in a sentence: “Switzerland remained neutral throughout much of the war.”
What part of speech is “neutral”?
Depending on how it is used, “neutral” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “neutral” come from?
The word “neutral” comes from Latin. From Middle French neutral, from Latin neutralis, itself built from neuter plus -alis.
Is “neutral” a common word?
“Neutral” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “neutral” have?
“Neutral” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not taking sides in a conflict, dispute, or war.
What is the difference between "neutral" and "impartial"?
Both involve not taking sides, but neutral often means staying out of a conflict entirely, while impartial means judging fairly without favoritism. A referee is impartial, whereas a neutral country stays out of a war altogether.
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