neutral

comparative more neutral · superlative most neutral

1. governmentNot taking sides in a conflict such as war; nonaligned.
2. Favoring neither the supporting nor opposing viewpoint of a topic of debate; unbiased.

   I am neutral regarding the issue of gay marriage.

   1 more example

   The heart can not possibly remain neutral, but constantly takes part one way or the other.

   1711, Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury, Characteristicks of Men, Manners, Opinions, Times

   Synonyms: disinterested, indifferent, candid, cold, clinical, detached, egal, equal

3. Neither positive nor negative.
4. human sciencesNot biased; viewing situations objectively in a way that is neither positive nor negative.

   a neutral person

5. Neither beneficial nor harmful.

   Some things good, and some things ill, do seem, And neutral some, in her fantastic eye.

   c. 1600, Sir John Davies, The Original, Nature, and Immortality of the Soul

   1 more example

   Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…] The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation,[…] In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe.

   2013 May-June, David Van Tassel, Lee DeHaan, “Wild Plants to the Rescue”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3

   Synonyms: innocuous

6. biologyHaving no sex; neuter.

   Synonyms: sexless

7. Having no obvious colour; gray.

   Synonyms: beige

8. natural sciencesNeither positive nor negative; possessing no charge or equivalent positive and negative charge such that there is no imbalance.

   Synonyms: uncharged, chargeless

9. chemistryHaving a pH of or near 7, neither acidic nor alkaline.
10. liquorchemistryOf an alcoholic drink, having been fermented and distilled but with no additives.
11. roleplaying gamesHaving an alignment that is situated between two notable possibilities, such as between good and evil, or between chaotic and lawful.

plural neutrals

1. countableuncountableA nonaligned state, or a member of such a state.
2. countableuncountableA person who takes no side in a dispute.

   They say in Harlan County There are no neutrals there You'll either be a union man Or a thug for J.H. Blair.

   1931, “Which Side Are You On?”, performed by Florence Patton Reece

3. countableuncountableAn individual or entity serving as an arbitrator or adjudicator.
4. countableuncountableA neutral hue.
5. uncountableThe position of a set of gears in which power cannot be transmitted to the drive mechanism.

   Near-synonym: angel gear (humorous)

   2 more examples

   Put it in neutral, and we'll push it out of the garage.

   He shoved the tractor into neutral, and, leaving the engine running, jumped down[.]

   1961, Robert S. Close, With Hooves of Brass, Sydney: Horwitz Publications, page 124

   Synonyms: angel gear

6. countableuncountableAn electrical terminal or conductor which has zero or close to zero voltage with respect to the ground.