neutral

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective in disagreement / contest 1 not supporting or helping either side in a disagreement, competition, etc: Journalists are supposed to be politically neutral. * I didn't take my father's or my mother's side; I tried to remain neutral. in war 2 not belonging to any of the countries that are involved in a war; not supporting any of the countries involved in a war: neutral territory / waters * Switzerland was neutral during the war. without strong feeling 3 deliberately not expressing any strong feeling: 'So you told her?' he said in a neutral tone of voice. * Is there a neutral word for 'terrorist'? colour 4 not very bright or strong, such as grey or light brown: a neutral colour scheme * neutral tones chemistry 5 neither acid nor ALKALINE electrical 6 (abbreviation N) having neither a positive nor a negative electrical CHARGE: the neutral wire in a plug neutrally adverb IDIOMS on neutral ground / territory in a place that has no connection with either of the people or sides who are meeting and so does not give an advantage to either of them: We decided to meet on neutral ground. noun in vehicle 1 [U] the position of the GEARS of a vehicle in which no power is carried from the engine to the wheels: to leave / put the car in neutral in disagreement / war 2 [C] a person or country that does not support either side in a disagreement, competition or war colour 3 [C] a colour that is not bright or strong, such as grey or light brown: The room was decorated in pale neutrals.