I. neu ‧ tral 1 AC /ˈnjuːtrəl $ ˈnuː-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ neutral , ↑ neutrality , ↑ neutralization ; verb : ↑ neutralize ; adverb : ↑ neutrally ; adjective : ↑ neutral ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Origin: Early French , from Latin neutralis , from neuter ; ⇨ ↑ neuter 1 ]
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 ↑ charge 1 (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
II. neutral 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ neutral , ↑ neutrality , ↑ neutralization ; verb : ↑ neutralize ; adverb : ↑ neutrally ; adjective : ↑ neutral ]
1 . [uncountable] the position of the ↑ gear s 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