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.
"If the two sides work in the same direction in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, we can surely find ways to address each other's concerns," he said.
From BBC
The author dedicated her work to “the people of America with the fervent hope that our nations may come ever closer together in mutual understanding and sympathy.”
He explained, “We were just introduced by friends. That’s it. We found out that we had mutual friends and we started to just chat.”
From MarketWatch
The hit TV series has spurred fans to create dance parties and merch themed to the show, creating a welcoming community with mutual love for the queer hockey romance along the way.
From Los Angeles Times
“Taking these steps makes the conversation about inheritance less intimidating and more constructive. It shows mutual respect for the past, present, and future.”
From MarketWatch
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.
