mutual
Americanadjective
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possessed, experienced, performed, etc., by each of two or more with respect to the other; reciprocal.
to have mutual respect.
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having the same relation each toward the other.
to be mutual enemies.
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of or relating to each of two or more; held in common; shared.
mutual interests.
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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.
noun
adjective
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experienced or expressed by each of two or more people or groups about the other; reciprocal
mutual distrust
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common to or shared by both or all of two or more parties
a mutual friend
mutual interests
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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
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”; mutate ) + -uus adjective suffix) + Middle French -el (from Latin -ālis ) -al 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mazarakis said the proposed deal between Scotts and Vireo “builds on a foundation of mutual respect and trust developed over time.”
We live stacked on top of one another—sharing walls, elevators, package rooms — yet often remain total strangers, bound only by the mutual recognition of each other’s dogs or preferred laundry times.
From Salon
The mutual aid fund aimed to provide direct support to artists and cultural workers displaced by the disaster, as quickly as possible.
From Los Angeles Times
USA also announced a $1.5 billion equity offering “anchored by Inflection Point with participation from large mutual fund complexes,” priced at $21.50 a share.
From Barron's
She said it could also breach implied term of mutual trust and confidence in an employment relationship "irrespective of it being set out on paper in a contract of employment".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
