Word
neuter
US/ˈnutɝ/
UK/njˈuːtɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a word or a person that does not have a gender. In grammar, it describes a word that does not change to show if it is male, female, or neither.
n. a grammatical category or a person or thing that is neither male nor female. In a linguistic context, it refers to a noun or pronoun that does not distinguish between genders.
Examples
“The word 'book' is a neuter noun in English.”
“In many languages, the neuter gender is used for objects or abstract concepts that do not have a biological sex.”
“The transition from a masculine to a neuter form in the plural indicates a shift in the speaker's perspective toward the subject matter.”
Examples
simple
“The word 'book' is a neuter noun in English.”
contextual
“In many languages, the neuter gender is used for objects or abstract concepts that do not have a biological sex.”
complex
“The transition from a masculine to a neuter form in the plural indicates a shift in the speaker's perspective toward the subject matter.”
Real-World Examples
“There are also low-cost clinics available year-round at OSPCA locations, which offer other services such as spaying and neutering.” “They also take cats in for veterinary care and neutering if needed.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English neutre, from Latin neuter, from ne (“not”) + uter (“whether”), a semantic loan from Koine Greek οὐδέτερος (oudéteros); compare English whether and neither.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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