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.
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)
(2)
: nearly achromatic
c(1)
(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
neutralness
noun
Synonyms
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
Ben Morse, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Her failsafe, office-appropriate neutrals are being replaced with diaphanous Oscar de La Renta shirt dresses and Goyard handbags.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Her fail-safe office-appropriate neutrals are being replaced with diaphanous Oscar de La Renta shirtdresses and Goyard handbags.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2024
All three work as neutrals that complement a variety of outfits.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
For those who have a closet full of neutrals, Titchenal says to make those items prominent and tuck away the few brightly colored pieces.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
The solid neutrals make for easy sock matching, while the colored options will need specific matches within the pairs.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Colors or neutrals in your home decor? Mostly neutral, little pops of color.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024
Choose from a bevy of neutrals and rich hues—and it can also be monogrammed for an extra special touch.
—Paula Lee, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024
Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Over his years undercover, these competing instincts have turned the Captain into something of an ideal narrator, a truly neutral party who absorbs and reflects the worldviews of those around him.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The city of San Jose has taken a neutral stance on any trial venue change.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
That survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found 59 percent of voters against and just 28 percent in favor, with a relatively paltry 13 percent undecided or neutral.
—Thomas D. Elias, Orange County Register, 9 Apr. 2024
These subtle changes transform the Patrimony into one of the best gender neutral watches out there.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The creation of a flat monthly fee is designed to be revenue neutral.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO – something that until two years ago would have been unthinkable for two the famously neutral Scandinavian countries.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
The beige and black options will blend into neutral decor, while the green and blue shades are great for adding a little bit of color.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
Noun
Edey will have to be at his best though to stop one of the rising stars of the tournament – DJ Burns Jr.
Burns has spearheaded NC State’s extraordinary run, capturing the hearts and minds of many neutrals with his nimble footwork, deft touch and persona.
—Ben Morse, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
Her failsafe, office-appropriate neutrals are being replaced with diaphanous Oscar de La Renta shirt dresses and Goyard handbags.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024
Her fail-safe office-appropriate neutrals are being replaced with diaphanous Oscar de La Renta shirtdresses and Goyard handbags.
—Daniel Rodgers, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2024
All three work as neutrals that complement a variety of outfits.
—Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 31 Mar. 2024
For those who have a closet full of neutrals, Titchenal says to make those items prominent and tuck away the few brightly colored pieces.
—Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024
The solid neutrals make for easy sock matching, while the colored options will need specific matches within the pairs.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 28 Mar. 2024
Colors or neutrals in your home decor? Mostly neutral, little pops of color.
—Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024
Choose from a bevy of neutrals and rich hues—and it can also be monogrammed for an extra special touch.
—Paula Lee, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Pick up neutral colors like white, beige, and black, as well as bolder hues like bright red and purple.
—Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024
Over his years undercover, these competing instincts have turned the Captain into something of an ideal narrator, a truly neutral party who absorbs and reflects the worldviews of those around him.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024
The city of San Jose has taken a neutral stance on any trial venue change.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024
That survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found 59 percent of voters against and just 28 percent in favor, with a relatively paltry 13 percent undecided or neutral.
—Thomas D. Elias, Orange County Register, 9 Apr. 2024
These subtle changes transform the Patrimony into one of the best gender neutral watches out there.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 9 Apr. 2024
The creation of a flat monthly fee is designed to be revenue neutral.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2024
Sweden and Finland recently joined NATO – something that until two years ago would have been unthinkable for two the famously neutral Scandinavian countries.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
The beige and black options will blend into neutral decor, while the green and blue shades are great for adding a little bit of color.
—Lauren Taylor, Southern Living, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'neutral.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near neutral
Cite this Entry
“Neutral.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neutral. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective1
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
Medical Definition
neutral
1 of 2 noun
neu·tral
ˈn(y)ü-trəl
: a neutral color
neutral
2 of 2 adjective1
: 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
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