neutral

neu-tral · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Not supporting or helping either side in a conflict or disagreement; impartial.

  2. 2.

    A position of gears in which no power is transmitted.

  3. 3.

    Having no strongly marked characteristics or features; not clearly defined.

  4. 4.

    A person or country that remains neutral in a conflict.

  5. 5.

    (chemistry) Neither acidic nor alkaline; having a pH of 7.

  6. 6.

    (electricity) Having neither positive nor negative electric charge.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    neutral ground — a place where opposing parties can meet without advantage to either
  • •
    neutral territory — an area not controlled by any party in a conflict
  • •
    carbon neutral — achieving net zero carbon emissions

Related words

Antonyms: biased, partial, partisan
See also: impartial, objective, unbiased
Synonyms: impartial, nonpartisan, objective, unbiased

Etymology

From Latin neutralis ("of neuter gender"), from neuter ("neither one nor the other"), from ne- ("not") + uter ("either").