neuter

1 of 3

adjective

neu·​ter ˈnü-tər 

ˈnyü-

1

a

: of, relating to, or constituting the gender that ordinarily includes most words or grammatical forms referring to things classed as neither masculine nor feminine

b

: neither active nor passive : intransitive

2

: taking no side : neutral

3

: lacking or having imperfectly developed or nonfunctional generative organs

neuter

2 of 3

noun

1

a

: a noun, pronoun, adjective, or inflectional form or class of the neuter gender

b

: the neuter gender

2

: one that is neutral

3

a

: worker sense 2

b

: a spayed or castrated animal

neuter

3 of 3

verb

neutered; neutering; neuters

transitive verb

1

: to castrate or spay (an animal) : alter

a neutered cat

2

: to remove the force or effectiveness of (someone or something)

Democrats say those changes would effectively neuter the bureau and hand the financial industry yet another victory over the little guy.

—Michael Crowley

Synonyms

Verb

• alter
• fix

Examples of neuter in a Sentence

Adjective

The pronoun “it” is neuter.

Verb

She had her dog neutered by the veterinarian.

The bill was neutered by the changes made by the legislature.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The services will be in addition to wellness exams, vaccinations and spay and neuter surgeries already provided by the shelter’s clinic, a news release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025

In addition to adoptions, the SPCA offers a variety of services for pets like vaccinations and low-cost spay and neuter surgeries. —Mariana Garcia, Sacbee.com, 21 June 2025

Noun

All adoptions include spay/neuter, vaccinations, a microchip, and a personalized ID tag with most pets ready to go home the same day they are adopted. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025

Daugherty said Animal Care and Control is creating a mobile clinic to provide spay/neuter, vaccinations, and other services in neighborhoods, with the goal of launching it in late summer or early fall. —Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Mar. 2025

Verb

He is neutered, microchipped, fully vaccinated and dewormed. —Maryanne Dell, Oc Register, 3 July 2025

He's neutered, heartworm negative, and ready to go home for an adoption fee of $100. —Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English neutre, from Middle French & Latin; Middle French neutre, from Latin neuter, literally, neither, from ne- not + uter which of two — more at no, whether entry 2

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for neuter

• pewter
• router
• scooter
• shooter
• suitor
• tutor
• commuter
• computer
• polluter
• recruiter
• microcomputer
• minicomputer

Kids Definition

neuter

1 of 3 adjective

neu·​ter ˈn(y)üt-ər 

1

: relating to or being the class of words that ordinarily includes most of those referring to things that are neither male nor female

a neuter noun

the neuter gender

2

: lacking sex organs

also : having imperfectly developed sex organs

neuter

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: a word or form of the neuter gender

b

: the neuter gender

2

: worker sense 2

neuter

3 of 3 verb

: castrate, alter sense 2

Medical Definition

neuter

1 of 2 noun

neu·​ter ˈn(y)üt-ər 

: a spayed or castrated animal (as a cat)

neuter

2 of 2 transitive verb

: to castrate or spay (an animal) : alter