neutral
Americanadjective
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not taking part or giving assistance in a dispute or war between others.
Sweden was a neutral nation during World War II.
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not aligned with or supporting any side or position in a controversy.
The arbitrator was absolutely neutral.
- Synonyms:
- unbiased, uninvolved, dispassionate, disinterested, impartial
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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.
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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.
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(of a color or shade)
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gray; without hue; of zero chroma; achromatic.
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matching well with many or most other colors or shades, as white or beige.
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Botany, Zoology. neuter.
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not causing or reflecting a change in something.
It is believed that the new tax law will be revenue neutral.
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Chemistry. exhibiting neither acid nor alkaline qualities.
neutral salts.
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Physics.
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(of a particle) having no charge.
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(of an atom, molecule, collection of particles, fluid, or solid) having no net charge; electroneutral; not electrified.
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not magnetized.
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Phonetics. (of a vowel) pronounced with the tongue relaxed in a central position, as the a in alive; reduced.
noun
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a person or a nation that remains unaligned with any side, as in a controversy or war.
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a citizen of a nation that does not join or support any side during a war.
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Machinery, Automotive. the position or state of disengaged gears or other interconnecting parts.
in neutral.
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a neutral color.
adjective
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not siding with any party to a war or dispute
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of, belonging to, or appropriate to a neutral party, country, etc
neutral land
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of no distinctive quality, characteristics, or type; indifferent
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(of a colour such as white or black) having no hue; achromatic
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(of a colour) dull, but harmonizing with most other colours
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a less common term for neuter
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chem neither acidic nor alkaline
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physics having zero charge or potential
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rare having no magnetism
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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
noun
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a neutral person, nation, etc
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a citizen of a neutral state
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the position of the controls of a gearbox that leaves the transmission disengaged
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Neither acid nor alkaline.
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Having no inherent or net charge, especially electric charge.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of neutral
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin neutrālis “grammatically neuter,” from neutr- (stem of neuter neuter ( def. ) ) + -ālis -al 1
Explanation
Commonly used to describe a person who doesn’t pick sides in disputes, neutral also pegs anything that refuses to be bold: the color beige, bland clothing, people with no preferences on where to eat for dinner. Being neutral sounds kind of boring. But neutrality is really important in some cases: Judges, for example, must remain totally neutral when hearing a case. Manners mavens say that it's best to remain neutral when topics like politics and religion come up during a party. And boxers can look to the neutral corners in the ring to escape a punch.
Vocabulary lists containing neutral
The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 1
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The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 6
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The company is pursuing a differentiated approach to quantum technology through neutral atoms, an architecture where individual particles are held in place by lasers.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
“That said, with the output gap still deeply negative, the Bank doesn’t seem inclined to lift rates above neutral this cycle,” Surya says.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
But in terms of ratings, 40 remained bullish, while nine analysts were neutral.
From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026
The company utilizes neutral atoms for quantum computing, a differentiated approach, and has expanded its global footprint.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
Cecilia’s attempts at a neutral, factual tone were coming apart.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
