Definition & Meaning of "neuter"

What is "neuter"?

Neuter is a grammatical category that refers to nouns, pronouns, and adjectives that do not have a specific masculine or feminine gender. Neuter forms are often used for objects, concepts, or animals when the gender is unknown or irrelevant. In English, common neuter pronouns include "it" and "its." For example, in the sentence "The dog is sleeping; it is tired," the pronoun "it" is used to refer to the dog without indicating its gender. In languages that distinguish gender, such as German, neuter nouns are marked with specific articles, such as "das," meaning "the" for neuter nouns. Understanding neuter gender is important for ensuring grammatical accuracy and clarity in communication.