mutual

American  

[myoo-choo-uhl] / ˈmyu tʃu əl /

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.

   a mutual company.

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noun

1. Informal. a mutual fund.

mutual British  

/ 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

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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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• mutuality
  noun
• mutually
  adverb
• nonmutual
  adjective
• quasi-mutual
  adjective
• transmutual
  adjective
• unmutual
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of mutual

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

Explanation

If the feeling is mutual, both of you feel the same the way, like a mutual admiration society. Mutual means shared. In finance it is used to describe trusts or funds that pool the money of many investors to buy securities. Mutual is a word to describe something two people or groups share. Nations will engage in a policy of mutual support; co-workers make a mutual effort; two businesses reach a mutual understanding. It's a good thing, being mutual. Mutual consent means you and your partner agree to do something together, be it composting your refuse in the backyard or dressing in furry mascot costumes for kicks. If something is mutual, it's okay with everyone involved.

Example Sentences

“Our base case remains that the U.S. economy is resilient—but operating with a narrower margin for error,” said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

Mutual funds have posted net outflows over the past decade as new money goes to ETFs instead.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Yet Americans believe they will need $1.46 million to retire comfortably, according to a study by Northwestern Mutual.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 23, 2026

“Twelve million? I would doubt it,” Matt Joyner, CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual, the state’s largest trade group, told me.

From Slate • Apr. 20, 2026

The African diplomats were taken on tours of the North Carolina Mutual offices, where they were shown row after row of black workers in starched white collars.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• bilateral
• collective
• reciprocal