neutral
1 of 2noun
neu·tral ˈnü-trəl 
ˈnyü-
1
: one that is neutral
The two countries were neutrals while their neighbors were at war.
2
: a neutral color
She painted the room in neutrals.
3
: a position of disengagement (as of gears)
He put the car in neutral.
neutral
2 of 2adjective
1
: not engaged on either side
specifically : not aligned with a political or ideological grouping
a neutral nation
2
: of or relating to a neutral state or power
neutral territory
3
a
: not decided or pronounced as to characteristics : indifferent
b(1)
: achromatic
(2)
: nearly achromatic
c(1)
: neuter sense 3
(2)
: lacking stamens or pistils
d
: neither acid nor basic
e
: not electrically charged
4
: produced with the tongue in the position it has when at rest
the neutral vowels of \\ə-ˈbəv\\ above
neutrally
ˈnü-trə-lē
adverb ˈnyü-
neutralness noun
Synonyms
Adjective
- nonpartisan
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun He put the car in neutral. Their sister remained a neutral in the dispute. The two countries were neutrals while their neighbors were at war. Adjective He remained neutral while his brothers argued. She tries to be a fair and neutral journalist. The battle took place in neutral waters. The duel will be held on neutral ground. The report was written in neutral language. “Why did you do that?” he asked in a neutral tone of voice. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 1 Sep. 2022 First, paint walls a pale neutral, then choose artwork, accessories, and accent furniture in lighter or colorful hues to balance the darkness of the furniture. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 The timeless neutral was layered with natural materials, like a rattan headboard and a jute living room rug, to enhance the coastal aesthetic. Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 The soft neutral will support any aesthetic, with just enough pigment to hide outdoor dirt and debris. Allison Duncan, WSJ, 4 May 2022 In fact, many designers make a strong case that blue is the new neutral. Cyndy Aldred, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2021 The look offers a fresh neutral that’s perfect for summer. Elle Turner, Glamour, 18 May 2022 Although this neutral is more timeless than trendy, designers say white bedrooms are experiencing a resurgence. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2022 The key is to treat pink almost like a neutral that can be paired with anything. Todd Plummer, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 Invesco’s bond investments have moved from risk-averse to more-neutral, and have recently favored corporate bonds over Treasurys. Matt Grossman, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 While Knock only rates three of those metros – all in California – to have become buyers’ markets, Orlando and 15 other top markets moved from favoring sellers to neutral, which means a roughly equal market for buyers and sellers. Trevor Fraser, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 So far, getting to carbon neutral has translated into the pursuit of fuel efficiencies from lighter-weight machine and engine designs, and rightly so – airplanes produce the highest percentage of CO2 footprint while in flight. Susan Galer, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 Auburn has been stuck in neutral amid the flurry, adding just two players in the last month and six total. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 6 Aug. 2022 But any and all Tigers, outside of Riley Greene, Miguel Cabrera and possibly Spencer Torkelson, should be on the table for a team whose rebuild seems stuck in neutral. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 30 July 2022 Urine samples closer to the neutral pH of pure water actually showed a higher level of the protein siderocalin. Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 That would help the planes get closer to carbon neutral, because the carbon in the fuel was originally taken from the air. Wired, 28 July 2022 See More
Noun
Whirlybird, a lively pale green, is named for twirling helicopter plants; Stirabout, a neutral that will likely become a favorite of the collection for its versatility, comes from a type of Irish porridge. Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 1 Sep. 2022 First, paint walls a pale neutral, then choose artwork, accessories, and accent furniture in lighter or colorful hues to balance the darkness of the furniture. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2022 The timeless neutral was layered with natural materials, like a rattan headboard and a jute living room rug, to enhance the coastal aesthetic. Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping, 7 June 2022 The soft neutral will support any aesthetic, with just enough pigment to hide outdoor dirt and debris. Allison Duncan, WSJ, 4 May 2022 In fact, many designers make a strong case that blue is the new neutral. Cyndy Aldred, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2021 The look offers a fresh neutral that’s perfect for summer. Elle Turner, Glamour, 18 May 2022 Although this neutral is more timeless than trendy, designers say white bedrooms are experiencing a resurgence. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Feb. 2022 The key is to treat pink almost like a neutral that can be paired with anything. Todd Plummer, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 Adjective
Jenison fired 11 more shots, and the minivan pulled forward, past another police car that had just approached, and coasted in neutral into the driveway of a home across the street, according to the report and dashcam video. Erik Ortiz, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 Invesco’s bond investments have moved from risk-averse to more-neutral, and have recently favored corporate bonds over Treasurys. Matt Grossman, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 While Knock only rates three of those metros – all in California – to have become buyers’ markets, Orlando and 15 other top markets moved from favoring sellers to neutral, which means a roughly equal market for buyers and sellers. Trevor Fraser, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Sep. 2022 So far, getting to carbon neutral has translated into the pursuit of fuel efficiencies from lighter-weight machine and engine designs, and rightly so – airplanes produce the highest percentage of CO2 footprint while in flight. Susan Galer, Forbes, 9 Aug. 2022 Auburn has been stuck in neutral amid the flurry, adding just two players in the last month and six total. Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 6 Aug. 2022 But any and all Tigers, outside of Riley Greene, Miguel Cabrera and possibly Spencer Torkelson, should be on the table for a team whose rebuild seems stuck in neutral. Tyler J. Davis, Detroit Free Press, 30 July 2022 Urine samples closer to the neutral pH of pure water actually showed a higher level of the protein siderocalin. Dr. Michael Daignault, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 That would help the planes get closer to carbon neutral, because the carbon in the fuel was originally taken from the air. Wired, 28 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective and Noun
Middle English neuterall mutually neutralizing, from Medieval Latin *neutralis, back-formation from neutralitas middle ground, from Latin neutralis neuter, from neutr-, neuter
First Known Use
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing neutral
Kids Definition
neutral 1 of 2
noun
neu·tral ˈnü-trəl
ˈnyü-
1
: a person or group that does not favor either side in a quarrel, contest, or war
2
: a grayish color or color that is not bright
3
: a position of gears (as in the transmission of a motor vehicle) in which they are not in contact
neutral
2 of 2adjective
1
: not favoring either side in a quarrel, contest, or war
2
: of or relating to a country that doesn't favor either side in a dispute
neutral territory
3
: not strong in opinion or feeling
My feelings toward work are neutral.
4
: having a color that is not bright : grayish
neutral walls
5
: neither acid nor basic
6
: not electrically charged
Medical Definition
neutral 1 of 2
noun
neu·tral ˈn(y)ü-trəl
: a neutral color
neutral
2 of 2adjective
1
: not decided or pronounced as to characteristics
2
a
: totally lacking in saturation : achromatic
b
: not decided in color : nearly achromatic : of low saturation
3
: neither acid nor basic : neither acid nor alkaline
specifically : having a pH value of 7.0
a neutral solution contains both hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions at the same concentration 1.00×10−7 Linus Pauling
Linus Pauling 4
: not electrically charged
Legal Definition
neutral 1 of 2
noun
neu·tral
: one that is neutral
specifically : an impartial person used in alternative dispute resolution to help resolve or to determine the matters in dispute
neutral
2 of 2adjective
: not engaged on either side
specifically : not aligned with a political or ideological grouping
neutral
adjective
1
as in independent
not favoring or joined to either side in a quarrel, contest, or war Sweden remained neutral during World War II, refusing to join either side in the conflict Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- independent
- impartial
- autonomous
- nonpartisan
- sovereign
- nonaligned
- unbiased
- nonbelligerent
- unaffiliated
- uninfluenced
- indifferent
- noninterventionist
- disinterested
- evenhanded
- on the fence
- individualistic
- unprejudiced
- hands-off
- fair
- bipartisan
- sovran
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- allied
- unfair
- biased
- partisan
- partial
- confederate
- associated
- affiliated
- belligerent
- prejudiced
- federated
2
as in boring
lacking in distinctive features or qualities the hero is the novel's only fully fleshed person, all the others being rather neutral characters who are just there to advance the plot Synonyms & Similar Words
- boring
- beige
- vanilla
- noncommittal
- featureless
- nondescript
- tame
- dull
- dry
- tiring
- characterless
- pedestrian
- indistinctive
- faceless
- flat
- drab
- uninteresting
- stodgy
- monotonous
- tiresome
- stuffy
- tedious
- humdrum
- weary
- leaden
- dreary
- wearisome
- wearying
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- striking
- dramatic
- emphatic
- bold
- flamboyant
- showy
- catchy
- eye-catching
- splashy
- arresting