What does neutraliser mean?
A neutraliser is someone or something that counteracts an effect, influence, or force. In technical contexts, it may be a substance or device used to make a chemical reaction less active or to eliminate an undesirable effect; for example, a chemical can neutralise an acid or a toxin. In cricket, a neutraliser is a specialist fielder whose task is to restrict the opposition’s scoring, often by taking sharp catches, stopping quick runs, and putting pressure on the batsman. The word is therefore both practical and sporting: it describes a means of counteracting something and, in cricket, a player assigned to neutralise an opponent’s advantage. British English generally uses the spelling “neutraliser,” while American English commonly uses “neutralizer.”
nounA person, substance, or device that neutralizes something, especially a chemical agent or opposing effect. In cricket, it refers to a player whose role is to prevent the opposition from scoring runs.
- A person, substance, or device that counteracts or neutralizes a chemical, electrical, or other effect.
- A cricket player whose principal role is to prevent the opposition from scoring runs, especially through close fielding and pressure on the batsman.
"The referee called for a chemical neutraliser to be brought to the laboratory."
"The solution was added as a neutraliser to bring the pH level back within the required range."
"A strong neutraliser at short leg made life difficult for the visiting batsman."
The plural is formed by adding “-s.” The American spelling uses “neutralizers.”
"The laboratory stored several different neutralisers for the experiment."
In cricket, a neutraliser is not a passive bystander: the player is deliberately placed to disrupt the opposition’s scoring plans.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of neutraliser
The word is formed from “neutral” and the suffix “-iser,” meaning a person or thing that performs an action. “Neutral” comes through French from the Latin “neutralis,” meaning “of one party or the other,” and was later applied to substances that counteract acidity or other chemical effects. The agent-noun meaning developed alongside the development of chemistry and other technical fields.
Related word forms
How neutraliser is actually used
The spelling is especially common in British English. The chemical sense is technical, while the cricket sense is idiomatic in British and international cricket terminology.
Easily confused with neutraliser
“Neutraliser” is the standard British spelling, while “neutralizer” is the standard American spelling of the same word.