Word family noun neutral neutrality neutralization adjective neutral verb neutralize adverb neutrally
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishneutralneu‧tral1 /ˈnjuːtrəl $ ˈnuː-/ ●●○ AWL adjective 1 in an argument etcSUPPORT A PERSON, GROUP, OR PLAN 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 warPPGPG 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/territory4 languageSLORDINARY language, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoid expressing any strong opinion or feeling the neutral language of an official news report5 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 colourCCCOLOUR/COLOR a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream Neutral tones give the room a feeling of space. 7 wireTEE 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 adverbExamples from the Corpus
neutral• How can anything which can elicit two such opposing but adamant replies be neutral?• Civil servants are supposed to be politically neutral.• Some patients had voiced initial apprehension about their continuing to receive medication, but most were thought to be neutral about fundholding.• The role chosen by the teacher here is as neutral as possible, to avoid confrontation, effectively a messenger.• As an outside observer drawn into the Statementing process by the professionals involved, I had a neutral but not disinterested role.• Switzerland remained neutral during World War II.• a dress in a neutral fabric• The army, on the other hand, has remained largely neutral in the unprecedented fight to force democratic reform from Milosevic.• Gladioli prefer a neutral or slightly acidic soil.• But they are also a zingy accent in a neutral room.• The game will be held at a neutral site.• Many therapists took a neutral stance on the issue rather than trying to save marriages.• What if language is not a neutral system capable of objective description and analysis?• Rather than describing Ross as her boyfriend, Claire preferred the neutral term "friend."• To avoid ugly scenes, choose neutral topics for discussion.neutral territory/waters• In this war, there's no neutral territory.• That was why he had tried to reach Cantor by phone and arrange a meeting in some neutral territory.• We chatted noncommittally in the kitchen, neutral territory.• Beginning in the more neutral territory, I ask what leads her to seek incarceration for a kid.neutralneutral2 noun 1 [uncountable]TTCTEM 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 partsin/into neutral When you start the engine, make sure the car’s in neutral. Put the car into neutral.2 [countable]PGPGC a country, person, or group that is not involved in an argument or disagreement3 [countable usually plural] a neutral colourExamples from the Corpus
neutral• In 1917, U.S. neutrality ended when two of their ships were torpedoed.• These reds function as a neutral, and manufacturers paired them with just about everything.• Bamboo pieces also suit rooms painted white and in shades of green, browns and neutrals.• Vera dresses mostly in neutrals.• However, the U-pattern shift without clearly marked neutrals does make the work easier.• The neutrals were delighted with the result in Paris: Balestre 29 votes, Mosley 43.in/into neutral• Bogart and Bergman had loved one another years before, and in neutral Casablanca discover that their passion is unabated.• From the freedom of play it seems to have in relation to my belly it must be in neutral.• But the bad news is the engine will not start or run when it's down, even in neutral.• This group were aware of the injury and described it in neutral terms of sensation.• That camp still advocated casting to hold joints in neutral positions.• He watches her as she shifts into neutral, pulls on the emergency brake.• You can stay a long time in neutral, ticking over - provided nothing happens.Origin neutral1 (1400-1500) Early French, from Latin neutralis, from neuter; → NEUTER1 