neutral Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun one who does not side with any party in a war or dispute
  2. adjective satellite having no personal preference
    impersonal.
    • impersonal criticism
    • a neutral observer
  3. adjective satellite having only a limited ability to react chemically; chemically inactive
    indifferent; inert.
    • inert matter
    • an indifferent chemical in a reaction
  4. adjective satellite not supporting or favoring either side in a war, dispute, or contest
  5. adjective possessing no distinctive quality or characteristics
  6. adjective having no hue
    achromatic.
    • neutral colors like black or white
  7. adjective satellite lacking distinguishing quality or characteristics
    • a neutral personality that made no impression whatever
  8. adjective satellite having no net electric charge
    electroneutral.

WordNet

Neu"tral adjective
Etymology
L. neutralis, fr. neuter. See Neuter.
Definitions
  1. Not engaged on either side; not taking part with or assisting either of two or more contending parties; neuter; indifferent.
    The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other. Shaftesbury.
  2. Neither good nor bad; of medium quality; middling; not decided or pronounced.
    Some things good, and some things ill, do seem, And neutral some, in her fantastic eye. Sir J. Davies.
  3. (Biol.) Neuter. See Neuter, a., 3.
  4. (Chem.) Having neither acid nor basic properties; unable to turn red litmus blue or blue litmus red; -- said of certain salts or other compounds. Contrasted with acid, and alkaline. also called the indefinite vowel, and also represented in phonetic transcriptions by the schwa &schwa;
Neu"tral noun
Definitions
  1. A person or a nation that takes no part in a contest between others; one who is neutral.
    The neutral, as far as commerce extends, becomes a party in the war. R. G. Harper.

Webster 1913