mutual

[ myoo-choo-uhl ]

adjective

1. possessed, experienced, performed, etc., by each of two or more with respect to the other; reciprocal:

   to have mutual respect.

2. having the same relation each toward the other:

   to be mutual enemies.

3. of or relating to each of two or more; held in common; shared:

   mutual interests.

4. having or pertaining to a form of corporate organization in which there are no stockholders, and in which profits, losses, expenses, etc., are shared by members in proportion to the business each transacts with the company: mutual insurance.

   a mutual company.

noun

1. Informal. a mutual fund.

mutual

/ ˌmjuːtjʊˈælɪtɪ; ˈmjuːtʃʊəl /

adjective

1. experienced or expressed by each of two or more people or groups about the other; reciprocal

   mutual distrust

2. common to or shared by both or all of two or more parties

   a mutual friend

   mutual interests

3. denoting an insurance company, etc, in which the policyholders share the profits and expenses and there are no shareholders

Usage

The use of mutual to mean common to or shared by two or more parties was formerly considered incorrect, but is now acceptable. Tautologous use of mutual should be avoided: cooperation (not mutual cooperation ) between the two countries

Derived Forms

• ˈmutually, adverb
• mutuality, noun

Other Words From

• mu·tu·al·ly adverb
• non·mu·tu·al adjective
• qua·si-mu·tu·al adjective
• trans·mu·tu·al adjective
• un·mu·tu·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutual¹

First recorded in 1470–80; from Middle French mutuel, from Latin mūtu(us) “mutual, reciprocal” (equivalent to mūt(āre) “to change”; mutate ) + -uus adjective suffix) + Middle French -el (from Latin -ālis ) -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutual¹

C15: from Old French mutuel, from Latin mūtuus reciprocal (originally: borrowed); related to mūtāre to change

Synonym Study

Mutual, reciprocal agree in the idea of an exchange or balance between two or more persons or groups. Mutual indicates an exchange of a feeling, obligation, etc., between two or more people, or an interchange of some kind between persons or things: mutual esteem; in mutual agreement. Reciprocal indicates a relation in which one act, thing, feeling, etc., balances or is given in return for another: reciprocal promises or favors.

Example Sentences

If you all don’t have any mutual friends, go ahead and leave them an inbox message to see if they are open to connecting.

From Essence.com

Shortly after I got home, a friend called and told me that a mutual friend was in town for the night and wanted to hang out.

From Ozy

Unlike other mutual aid groups, which tend to be located in population centers, the seeds can reach people in rural areas, with hubs in Mississippi, Texas, western North Carolina, and more.

From Eater

Instead, he is moving his investments from mutual funds to more liquid forms of money that he can access when necessary.

From Ozy

Jim and I had several mutual friends and we’d cross paths every so often.

From Ozy

He knew I loved him like a big brother, and I knew the feeling was mutual.

From The Daily Beast

Bound together by mutual distrust, both sides end up lashing themselves to the mast of rigid law.

From The Daily Beast

But among ferocious ideologues, similar roots are no guarantee of mutual sympathy when schisms occur.

From The Daily Beast

Sharpton noted that otherwise some of their mutual detractors might suggest that he had played a role in the appointment.

From The Daily Beast

Earlier this year, a mutual friend told me that Peter was being held captive in Syria.

From The Daily Beast

And with some expressions of mutual good-will and interest, master and man separated.

From Project Gutenberg

Without any known cause of offence, a tacit acknowledgement of mutual dislike was shewn by Louis and de Patinos.

From Project Gutenberg

Such mutual distrust necessarily creates or accompanies a lack of moral courage.

From Project Gutenberg

The two enjoyed a mutual understanding from which he was excluded, a private intimacy that was spiritual, mental,— physical.

From Project Gutenberg

Suffice it to say, a mutual passion was conceived between the two cousins, and my father persuaded her to elope with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bilateral
• collective
• reciprocal