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 National Library of Medicine published a report earlier this year that showed there was a 13% decrease in these spay and neuter surgeries around the country in 2020. —Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Aug. 2025

Animal control officers commonly snip a cat’s ear after its been part of a trap, neuter and release (TNR) program. —Ramin Skibba, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 July 2025

Noun

Please adopt your next pet, foster for your local shelter or rescue, or donate to rescue groups that promote spay and neuter. —Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Aug. 2025

Includes microchip registration, spay/neuter and up-to-date vaccinations and a one-year license if his new home is in the jurisdiction of San Diego Humane Society’s Department of Animal Services. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025

Verb

More government investment in affordable spaying and neutering services, in shelter resources and in strengthening enforcement of breeding laws would help curb the population of pets that need homes, said Judie Mancuso, founder of Social Compassion in Legislation. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 30 Aug. 2025

Fostering, volunteering, donating and spaying/neutering pets are crucial to managing the kitten population. —Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 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