Neutrality Meaning
/njuːˈtɹæləti/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state or quality of being neutral; the condition of being unengaged in contests between others; state of taking no part on either side.
nounIndifference in quality; a state neither very good nor bad.
Sentence Examples
The alternative possibilities are neutrality or war.
An important principle of the Internet is the network neutrality.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The policy of not supporting either side in a conflict is called ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The judge maintained strict ____ throughout the trial to ensure a fair outcome.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French neutralité, from Medieval Latin neutralitas. Morphologically neutral + -ity.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"And what happineſs is there in a ſtorm of paſſions? On this account the Scepticks affected an indifferent æquipondious neutrality as the only means to their Ataraxia, and freedom from paßionate diſturbances."
— 1665, Joseph Glanvill, chapter XXVII, in Scepsis Scientifica: Or, Confest Ignorance, the Way to Science; in an Essay of the Vanity of Dogmatizing, and Confident Opinion with a Reply to the Exceptions of the Learned Thomas Albius, London: E. Cotes, page 168:
"Men who possess a state of neutrality in times of public danger, desert the interest of their fellow subjects."
— 1709, Joseph Addison, The Tatler:
"The official pretence of a scrupulous solicitude to maintain neutrality is flagrantly insincere."
— 1856 June 14, “England and America”, in The Saturday Review of Politics, Literature, Science, and Art, volume 2, number 33, London: John W. Parker and Son, page 141:
"Lizzo, who is known for messages of self-love and wider acceptance, has recently said as much as she shared that she is encouraging a stance of body neutrality for herself and others."
— 2023 May 29, Madeline Holcombe, “Lizzo is teaching us about body neutrality. Here is what it means and how to get there”, in CNN:
"There is no health; physicians say that we
At best enjoy but a neutrality."
— 1611, John Donne, An Anatomy of the World:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The policy of not supporting either side in a conflict is called ____.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The judge maintained strict ____ throughout the trial to ensure a fair outcome.