Neutral Meaning and Definition
Neutral
Pronunciation
/ˈnjuːtrəl/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A color or shade that is midway between black and white, lacking strong color or brightness, used to describe something that is intermediate, stable, or unemotional.
Etymology
The word “Neutral” comes from the Latin “neuter”, meaning “neither this nor that”, and was first used in the 15th century to describe things that are neither good nor bad.
Usage Notes
Use “Neutral” to describe something that is unbiased, impartial, or lacking strong characteristics. For example, “the teacher tried to present the topic in a neutral way to avoid influencing the students’ opinions.”
Cultural References
In film and literature, “Neutral” is often used to describe characters or environments that are calm, balanced, or stable, such as the Neutral Ground in the TV series “The West Wing”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Seeking a neutral third party
- Remaining neutral in the face of conflict
Related Words or Phrases
- Neutral ground
- Neutralize
- Nutrality
Collocations
- Neutral tone
- Neutral language
- Neutral background
Frequency of Use
The word “Neutral” is commonly used in everyday conversation, particularly in fields like politics, law, and diplomacy, where impartiality is important.
Common Misspellings
- Neutural
- Nuetral
- Neuturil