neutral
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- unbiased, disinterested, even-handed, impartial, nonaligned, nonpartisan, uncommitted, uninvolved, unprejudiced
- indeterminate, dull, indistinct, intermediate, undefined

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Contrasted words: intemperate, loaded, fervent, impassioned, passionate, vehement
Related Words: clinical, collected, composed, cool, nonchalant, calm, easy, relaxed, aloof, indifferent

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. neu‧tral¹ AC /ˈnjuːtrəl $ ˈnuː-/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: neutral, neutrality, neutralization; verb: neutralize; adverb: neutrally; adjective: neutral]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Early French, from Latin neutralis, from neuter; ⇒ neuter¹]

1. IN AN ARGUMENT ETC not supporting any of the people or groups involved in an argument or disagreement ⇒ partisan:
I always tried to remain neutral when they started arguing.
Clive decided to adopt a neutral position.
The British government acted as a neutral observer during the talks.

2. IN A WAR a country that is neutral does not support any of the countries involved in a war:
During World War II, Sweden was neutral.
neutral territory/waters (=land or sea that is not controlled by any of the countries involved in a war)

3. on neutral ground/territory in a place that is not connected with either of the people, groups, or countries that are involved in a discussion, argument, war, or competition:
The talks will be held on neutral ground.

4. LANGUAGE language, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoid expressing any strong opinion or feeling:
the neutral language of an official news report

5. VOICE/EXPRESSION if someone says something in a neutral voice, or if they have a neutral expression on their face, they do not show how they are feeling:
Bragg said in a neutral voice, ‘The investigation has been closed down.’

6. COLOUR a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream:
Neutral tones give the room a feeling of space.

7. WIRE a neutral wire, for example in a plug, has no electrical charge¹(7)

8. CHEMICAL a neutral substance is neither acid nor alkaline:
The plant prefers a neutral or slightly acidic soil.
a neutral pH of 7.0
—neutrally adverb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. neutral² noun
[Word Family: noun: neutral, neutrality, neutralization; verb: neutralize; adverb: neutrally; adjective: neutral]

1. [uncountable] the position of the gears of a car or machine when no power is being sent from the engine to the wheels or other moving parts
in/into neutral
When you start the engine, make sure the car’s in neutral.
Put the car into neutral.

2. [countable] a country, person, or group that is not involved in an argument or disagreement

3. [countable usually plural] a neutral colour

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

neutral
adj.
I. not supporting either side
VERBS be | remain, stay
ADV. strictly The government maintained its strictly neutral policy.
completely | basically, broadly The Russians took a broadly neutral position.
politically The meeting must be at a politically neutral location.
PREP. about neutral about this issue

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

neutral
II. not showing strong qualities/feelings/colour
VERBS be, seem Her expression seemed neutral.
remain | keep sth Dolly kept her voice carefully neutral.
ADV. perfectly | fairly, quite, relatively She chose fairly neutral make-up.
apparently | carefully

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

neutral
III. not affected by sth
VERBS be, seem
ADV. culturally, ethically, ideologically, morally, politically Behaviour is never culturally neutral.
PHRASES gender neutral She argued that the law should always be gender neutral (= apply in exactly the same way to men and women).

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲