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.

   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

Other Word Forms

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

"China urges the US to correct its wrongful practices, work together with China in the same direction and resolve issues of mutual concern through equal dialogue and consultation," it said.

Read more on Barron's

If the dismal past performance of mutual funds hadn’t already convinced you of how difficult it is to beat the stock market, the market-lagging performance of U.S. college and university endowments should be enough.

Read more on MarketWatch

"We are collectively committed to advancing this relationship now and in the long term, particularly when it comes to our mutual priorities in the Indo-Pacific," Anand said.

Read more on BBC

The couple first met at the Rose Bowl Flea Market through mutual friends.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In WWII, the U.K. and France failed to prevent the country’s invasion by the Nazis, despite mutual defense treaties.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bilateral 
• collective 
• reciprocal