WordGarden.ioneutral
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /njˈuːtrəl/
US
- /ˈnutrəl/
Meanings
Adjective
not supporting or helping either side in a dispute, contest, or conflict
neither positive nor negative; without a strong effect, reaction, or emotional tone
having a plain or understated color that blends easily with others
More meaningsFewer meanings
neither acidic nor alkaline
having no overall electric charge
Noun
the gear position in a vehicle where engine power is not engaged
Beyond the definition
Imagine a referee in a sports game: their job is not to want one team to win, but to call the game fairly. That is what it means to be neutral. It means not favoring one side, person, or idea over another. A neutral color like beige or gray does not feel strongly warm or cool. You might try to keep a neutral tone in an argument with a friend so you can listen to both sides without joining one. In news, politics, or everyday disagreements, being neutral means staying fair and not showing a strong preference.
Neutral describes a person, action, tone, object, or state that does not strongly support one side, opinion, or result over another. It often means fair, unbiased, or not involved in a conflict. Think of it as staying in the middle instead of leaning clearly in one direction.
The idea of being neutral goes beyond human behavior. A neutral color, for example, does not stand out as strongly warm, cool, bright, or emotional, which is why colors like gray, beige, white, and black are often called neutral in design and fashion. A neutral background can help other things stand out without adding a strong feeling of its own.
The word also has more specific uses. In chemistry, a neutral substance has a pH of 7, so it is neither acidic nor alkaline. In physics, something is neutral if it has no overall electrical charge. In driving, neutral is the gear setting in which the engine is not driving the wheels. In international relations, a neutral country is one that does not take part in a war between other countries.
You might also describe someone as having a neutral expression, meaning their face does not show clear emotion. A news report can be described as neutral if it avoids personal opinion and focuses on the facts. So whether the word is used for a person, a voice, a color, a scientific condition, or a gear in a car, neutral usually suggests balance, non-involvement, or the absence of a strong side or effect.
Examples
- 1
Sports officiating
The referee must stay neutral during the match.
- 2
News tone
The article uses a neutral tone and avoids blaming either side.
- 3
Personal advice
I tried to give neutral advice, but my friend knew what I really thought.
- 4
Conflict meeting
We agreed to meet on neutral ground, at a cafe neither family usually visits.
- Phraseneutral ground
a place where neither side has an advantage
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Interior colors
The apartment is decorated in neutral colors like gray, white, and beige.
- 6
Car gear
Put the car in neutral before you start pushing it.
- Phrasein neutral
with the engine not connected to the wheels
- 7
Chemistry
A pH of 7 is neutral, like pure water.
- 8
Emissions
The company says its shipping will be carbon neutral by next year.
- Phrasecarbon neutral
causing no net increase in carbon emissions
- 9
Inclusive language
The form uses gender-neutral language, such as “they” instead of “he or she.”
- Phrasegender-neutral
not limited to one gender
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- neutral party
- neutral observer
- politically neutral
- neutral stance
Word family
- neutrality
- neutrally
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- neutralnounadjective
Forms
- neutralspluralnounadjective