neutral
neu‧tral1 AC /ˈnjuːtrəl $ ˈnuː-/ 
adjective
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.
2. IN A WAR 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/territory in a place that is not connected with either of the people, groups, or countries that are involved in a discussion, argument, war, or competition:
The talks will be held on neutral ground.
4. LANGUAGE language, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoid expressing any strong opinion or feeling:
the neutral language of an official news report
5. VOICE/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.’
6. COLOUR a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream:
Neutral tones give the room a feeling of space.
7. WIRE a neutral wire, for example in a plug, has no electrical charge1(7)
8. CHEMICAL a neutral substance is neither acid nor alkaline:
The plant prefers a neutral or slightly acidic soil.
a neutral pH of 7.0
—neutrally adverb
neutral2 noun
in/into neutral
When you start the engine, make sure the car’s in neutral.
Put the car into neutral.
2. [countable] a country, person, or group that is not involved in an argument or disagreement
3. [countable usually plural] a neutral colour
| I |
adjective Word Family: noun: neutral, neutrality, neutralization; verb: neutralize; adverb: neutrally; adjective: neutral
1. IN AN ARGUMENT ETC not supporting any of the people or groups involved in an argument or disagreement ⇨ partisan: 2. IN A WAR a country that is neutral does not support any of the countries involved in a war:
neutral territory/waters (=land or sea that is not controlled by any of the countries involved in a war)
3. on neutral ground/territory in a place that is not connected with either of the people, groups, or countries that are involved in a discussion, argument, war, or competition:
4. LANGUAGE language, words etc that are neutral are deliberately chosen to avoid expressing any strong opinion or feeling:
5. VOICE/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:
6. COLOUR a neutral colour is a colour such as grey, light brown, or cream:
7. WIRE a neutral wire, for example in a plug, has no electrical charge1(7)
8. CHEMICAL a neutral substance is neither acid nor alkaline:
—neutrally adverb
| II |
noun Word Family: noun: neutral, neutrality, neutralization; verb: neutralize; adverb: neutrally; adjective: neutral
1. [uncountable] 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
2. [countable] a country, person, or group that is not involved in an argument or disagreement
3. [countable usually plural] a neutral colour