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”; 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

But Jamie has never shown any jealousy towards his younger sibling, and their mutual affection has often been in evidence.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

One possibility he’s been actively discussing with Kolstad pushes in almost the opposite direction, inspired by a mutual love of Jackie Chan.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Dimensional Fund Advisors, which advocates passive investing, studied actively managed stock mutual funds between 1991 and 2020.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

It’s harder and harder to find U.S. stock-focused mutual funds that boast generous dividend yields.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

For a decade or so, Marsh and Cope’s mutual dislike primarily took the form of quiet sniping, but in 1877 it erupted into grandiose dimensions.

From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson

Related Words

• bilateral
• collective
• reciprocal