mutual
MYOOT-shoo-uhl
Mutual (adj) means Felt or done equally by both sides; shared between two or more people. Example: “Their mutual respect made the negotiation much easier.”
adj
1
Felt or done equally by both sides; shared between two or more people.
"Their mutual respect made the negotiation much easier."
"It was a mutual decision to end the partnership."
"We have a mutual friend who introduced us at the party."
noun
1
A mutual fund, or an organization owned collectively by its members rather than by shareholders.
"Many families prefer a mutual to a bank because members share the profits."
"He joined a building mutual that was owned by its savers."
"She invested a portion of her savings in a mutual."
How to use mutual
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that goes both ways — shared equally by everyone involved.
Common pairings
mutual respect
mutual agreement
mutual friend
mutual benefit
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Word forms
- Plural
- mutuals
- Comparative
- more mutual
- Superlative
- most mutual
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Their _____ respect made the negotiation much easier.
Etymology
Borrowed via Middle French from Latin mutuus, meaning "reciprocal" or "borrowed" — it displaced an older native English word for the same idea.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for mutual
See all rhymes for mutual →Frequently asked questions
What does “mutual” mean?
The word “mutual” means felt or done equally by both sides; shared between two or more people. In plain terms, something that goes both ways — shared equally by everyone involved.
How do you pronounce “mutual”?
“Mutual” is pronounced MYOOT-shoo-uhl (/ˈmjuːt͡ʃuəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mutual” in a sentence?
Here is “mutual” used in a sentence: “Their mutual respect made the negotiation much easier.”
What is another word for “mutual”?
Words with a similar meaning to “mutual” include reciprocative.
What part of speech is “mutual”?
Depending on how it is used, “mutual” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “mutual” come from?
The word “mutual” comes from Latin. Borrowed via Middle French from Latin mutuus, meaning "reciprocal" or "borrowed" — it displaced an older native English word for the same idea.
Is “mutual” a common word?
“Mutual” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “mutual” have?
“Mutual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: felt or done equally by both sides; shared between two or more people.
What is the difference between "mutual" and "reciprocal"?
Both describe something shared between two sides, but "reciprocal" stresses that each side gives in return for what it receives, while "mutual" simply means the feeling or action is shared equally by both. Reciprocal arrangements involve an exchange, whereas mutual feelings are held in common.
What is the difference between "mutual" and "common"?
"Mutual" means felt or done equally by both sides, as in "mutual respect," while "common" means shared by or belonging to more than one person, as in "common interest." Some careful writers prefer "common friend," though "mutual friend" is very widely accepted.
Is "a mutual friend" correct English?
"A mutual friend" — a friend that two people share — is standard, widely accepted English. Some traditionalists argue "common friend" is more logical, but "mutual friend" is by far the more natural and common choice.
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