French word

neutraliser

Pronunciation

IPA/nøtʁalize/

Meaning

  • verbneutralize

Example

Ce produit peut neutraliser les mauvaises odeurs.

This product can neutralize bad odors.

Illustration for neutraliser (neutralize)

More examples

Ce chewing-gum permet de neutraliser une mauvaise haleine.

This chewing gum helps neutralize bad breath.

Core concept

A counteracting force removes another force's effect.

Common phrases

  • neutraliser une mauvaise haleine

    neutralize bad breath

  • neutraliser l'acidité

    neutralize acidity

  • neutraliser l'odeur de cigarette

    neutralize cigarette smell

Similar words

annuler: To cancel a reservation or scheduled event.
désactiver: To make a machine, device, or feature unusable.
atténuer: To reduce strength or impact.
éliminer: To remove something unwanted or dangerous.

Definition in French

Rendre neutre ou sans effet une substance, une action ou une influence en l'annulant, la compensant ou en l'empêchant d'agir.

Word origin

Neutraliser derives from the French adjective neutre with the verb-forming suffix -iser; neutre comes from Latin neuter, meaning neither of two.

Usage tips

  • Neutraliser takes a direct object, as in neutraliser les mauvaises odeurs, une menace, or une influence.

Other meanings

  • invalidateverb
  • disableverb

Opposites

Related words

  • neutralisationneutralizationnoun
  • neutraliséneutralizedadjective
  • neutralisableneutralizableadjective

Word lists with this word