neutral

/ˈnuːtrəl/
noun
  1. A person or country that does not support either side in a conflict or disagreement.
    • During the debate, the neutrals refused to vote for either candidate.
    • The treaty was signed by both sides and witnessed by a neutral.
    • Sweden has historically acted as a neutral in international disputes.
  2. The position of a gear shift when no gears are engaged, so the engine runs without moving the vehicle.
    • He left the truck in neutral while he waited for the light to change.
    • Put the car in neutral before starting the engine.
    • Always shift to neutral when you are stopped for a long time.
  3. A neutral color, especially in fashion or design.
    • The designer used a palette of neutrals for the living room.
    • She prefers neutrals like cream and taupe for her wardrobe.
    • Neutrals are easy to mix and match with brighter colors.
adjective
  1. Not supporting either side in a disagreement, war, or competition.
    • The referee must stay neutral and treat both teams fairly.
    • Switzerland remained neutral during both world wars.
    • She tried to stay neutral when her friends argued about politics.
  2. Having no strong or noticeable color, such as white, gray, beige, or black.
    • He wore a neutral jacket that matched almost everything.
    • Neutral colors like gray and white are popular for office spaces.
    • She painted the living room a neutral beige to make it feel calm.
  3. Not having a strong positive or negative quality; bland or moderate.
    • His tone was neutral, so I couldn't tell if he was happy or upset.
    • The movie got neutral reviews — neither great nor terrible.
    • The sauce had a neutral flavor, so you could add your own spices.
  4. In chemistry, neither acidic nor basic; having a pH of about 7.
    • A neutral solution will not change the color of litmus paper.
    • The soil in this garden is neutral, which is good for most plants.
    • Pure water is neutral, with a pH of 7.
  5. In physics or engineering, having no net electrical charge.
    • When the charges balance, the object becomes neutral.
    • The wire is neutral and does not carry any current.
    • A neutral atom has an equal number of protons and electrons.