neutral

1 of 2

noun

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 2

adjective

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 

ˈnyü-

adverb

neutralness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• nonpartisan

Examples of neutral in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead, our interior design experts are leaning into alternative neutrals that feel warmer, softer, and more layered. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 June 2025

Warm neutrals, tactile textures, and Herczeg’s artwork kept the space feeling calm and elevated without overpowering it. —Alli Forde, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2025

Adjective

And even if Israel was interested in coming to the table, China is unlikely to be seen as a neutral arbiter given its ties with Iran, criticisms of Israel including over Gaza, and ongoing global power competition with the U.S., Israel’s biggest ally. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 20 June 2025

While the system empowers users to suggest and execute new projects, arbiters act as neutral mediators in any disputes that arise. —Saro McKenna, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

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

• day-neutral
• gender-neutral
• neutral red
• neutral spirits
• neutral zone
• the neutral zone

Kids Definition

neutral

1 of 2 noun

neu·​tral ˈn(y)ü-trəl 

1

: one that is neutral

2

: a neutral color

3

: a state in which transmission gears (as of a motor vehicle) are not in contact so that power from the engine is not passed to the drive shaft

neutral

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: not favoring either side in a quarrel, contest, or war

b

: of or relating to a neutral country

neutral territory

2

a

: having no distinctive characteristics

a neutral personality

b

: not feeling strongly one way or the other

3

: having no color that stands out

4

: neither acid nor basic

5

: not electrically charged

neutrally

-trə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

neutral

1 of 2 noun

neu·​tral ˈn(y)ü-trəl 

: a neutral color

neutral

2 of 2 adjective

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

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 2 adjective

: not engaged on either side

specifically : not aligned with a political or ideological grouping

neutrally adverb

neutralness noun