From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Groupings, Government, Linguistics, Colours, Electricalneutralneu‧tral1 /ˈnjuːtrəl $ ˈnuː-/ ●●○AWL adjective1in 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.2in 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/territory4languageSLORDINARYlanguage, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoidexpressing any strongopinion or feeling
the neutral language of an official news report5voice/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.’6colourCCCOLOUR/COLOR a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream
Neutral tones give the room a feeling of space.7wireTEE a neutral wire, for example in a plug, has no electricalcharge1(7)8chemical 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 Corpusneutral• How can anything which can elicit two such opposing but adamantreplies be neutral?• Civilservants are supposed to be politically neutral.• Some patients had voiced initialapprehension about their continuing to receivemedication, 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 outsideobserverdrawn into the Statementing process by the professionals involved, I had a neutral but not disinterested role.• a dress in a neutralfabric• The army, on the other hand, has remained largely neutral in the unprecedentedfight to forcedemocraticreform from Milosevic.• Gladioliprefer a neutral or slightly acidicsoil.• But they are also a zingy accent in a neutral room.• The game will be held at a neutralsite.• Many therapists took a neutralstance on the issue rather than trying to savemarriages.• What if language is not a neutral system capable of objectivedescription and analysis?• Rather than describing Ross as her boyfriend, Claire preferred the neutralterm "friend."• To avoid uglyscenes, choose neutraltopics for discussion.neutral territory/waters• In this war, there's no neutral territory.• That was why he had tried to reachCantor 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.Related topics: Motor vehicles, Mechanical, Governmentneutralneutral2 noun1[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 Corpusneutral• In 1917, U.S. neutrality ended when two of their ships were torpedoed.• These reds function as a neutral, and manufacturerspaired them with just about everything.• Bamboo pieces also suit rooms paintedwhite and in shades of green, browns and neutrals.• Vera dresses mostly in neutrals.• However, the U-pattern shift without clearly markedneutrals does make the work easier.in/into neutral• 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 advocatedcasting to hold jointsin neutral positions.• He watches her as she shifts into neutral, pulls on the emergencybrake.• You can stay a long time in neutral, ticking over - provided nothing happens.Originneutral1(1400-1500) Early French, from Latinneutralis, from neuter; → NEUTER1
