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
Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024
Take your pick from various shades of blue and neutrals like white and gray.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024
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
Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Best of all, shoppers have 25 bright and neutral colors to choose from.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2024
And, therefore, NPR had thus changed from a neutral news outfit, following the facts, to a cabal of advocates for one side of the political divide.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
Apple pledged back in 2020 to become carbon neutral by the end of the decade by reducing emissions by 75 percent and offsetting or capturing the rest.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024
The 12 Best Bathroom Faucets of 2024 05 of 14
Pewter + Ivory
In a colorful, busy world, coming home to a serene, neutral space feels like a breath of fresh air.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
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
Noun
Jennifer Lawrence seems to prefer neutrals to neons, at least if her New York City street style is anything to go by.
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 11 Apr. 2024
Take your pick from various shades of blue and neutrals like white and gray.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 17 Mar. 2024
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
Adjective
That survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies found 59% of voters against it and just 28% in favor, with a relatively paltry 13% undecided or neutral.
—Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2024
Best of all, shoppers have 25 bright and neutral colors to choose from.
—Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2024
And, therefore, NPR had thus changed from a neutral news outfit, following the facts, to a cabal of advocates for one side of the political divide.
—Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2024
Apple pledged back in 2020 to become carbon neutral by the end of the decade by reducing emissions by 75 percent and offsetting or capturing the rest.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 18 Apr. 2024
The 12 Best Bathroom Faucets of 2024 05 of 14
Pewter + Ivory
In a colorful, busy world, coming home to a serene, neutral space feels like a breath of fresh air.
—Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2024
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
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 27 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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