neutral — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Not taking sides in a conflict such as war; nonaligned.

2. Favoring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate; unbiased.

   Synonyms

   disinterestedindifferent

   Examples

   I am neutral regarding the issue of gay marriage.

   The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other.

3. Neither positive nor negative.

4. Not biased; viewing situations objectively in a way that is neither positive nor negative.

   Examples

   a neutral person

5. Neither beneficial nor harmful.

   Synonyms

   innocuous

   Examples

   Some things good, and some things ill, do seem, And neutral some, in her fantastic eye.

   More examples (1)

   Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…] The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation,[…] In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe.

6. Having no sex; neuter.

   Synonyms

   sexless

7. Having no obvious colour; gray.

   Synonyms

   beige

8. Neither positive nor negative; possessing no charge or equivalent positive and negative charge such that there is no imbalance.

   Synonyms

   unchargedchargeless

9. Having a pH of or near 7, neither acidic nor alkaline.

10. Of an alcoholic drink, having been fermented and distilled but with no additives.

11. Having an alignment that is situated between two notable possibilities, such as between good and evil, or between chaotic and lawful.

Noun

1. A nonaligned state, or a member of such a state.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. A person who takes no side in a dispute.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   They say in Harlan County There are no neutrals there You'll either be a union man Or a thug for J.H. Blair.

3. An individual or entity serving as an arbitrator or adjudicator.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

4. A neutral hue.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. The position of a set of gears in which power cannot be transmitted to the drive mechanism.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   angel gear

   Examples

   Near-synonym: angel gear (humorous)

   Put it in neutral, and we'll push it out of the garage.

   More examples (1)

   He shoved the tractor into neutral, and, leaving the engine running, jumped down[.]

6. An electrical terminal or conductor which has zero or close to zero voltage with respect to the ground.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Adjective

1. having no personal preference

   Synonyms

   impersonal

   Examples

   impersonal criticism

   a neutral observer

2. having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive

   Synonyms

   inertindifferent

   Examples

   inert matter

   an indifferent chemical in a reaction

3. not supporting or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest

4. possessing no distinctive quality or characteristics

   Antonyms

   positivenegative

5. having no hue

   Synonyms

   achromatic

   Examples

   neutral colors like black or white

6. lacking distinguishing quality or characteristics

   Examples

   a neutral personality that made no impression whatever

7. having no net electric charge

   Synonyms

   electroneutral

Noun

1. one who does not side with any party in a war or dispute

   Broader terms

   actordoerworker