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

/ ˈmjuːtʃʊəl; ˌmjuːtjʊˈælɪtɪ /

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

But Martin was clearly unimpressed and responded: "The manager decided to say something about respect. I've never known a manager try to get as many players booked as that. Respect is reciprocal. It's mutual."

From BBC

The respect is mutual and Wiegman smiled as she was asked in her press conference last week about Hayes' success with the USA.

From BBC

“To assume that simply having a child obligates people to marry and take on the duties of cohabitation and mutual support feels suffocating,” Lee wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

From BBC

On defense policy, for instance, he famously raised doubts about continued U.S. participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; European allies responded by boosting their contributions to the cost of mutual defense.

From Los Angeles Times

"He expresses himself very clearly. And if you do that, there is a certain mutual respect. That was my experience anyway."

From BBC

Related Words

• bilateral
• collective
• reciprocal