mutually exclusive
Americanadjective
Usage
What does mutually exclusive mean? Describing two things as mutually exclusive means that they can’t both exist, be true, or happen at the same time. In most cases, the phrase implies that one of the things prevents the other from happening or being true, or that both things prevent each other from happening or being true. Mutually exclusive is often used in negative constructions about things that are said to be not mutually exclusive—meaning they can both happen or be true at the same time. Example: Kindness and a good business sense are not mutually exclusive—it’s possible to be financially successful without being a jerk.
Etymology
Origin of mutually exclusive
First recorded in 1870–75
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.
Equity, taking their differences into account, and equality, giving them the same amount, are not mutually exclusive concepts.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 19, 2026
"Our results show that genetic diagnostics and functional neuroscience are not mutually exclusive areas," says Weber.
From Science Daily ● Jun. 13, 2026
Southeastern said the categories of buyers it proposed are not mutually exclusive.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
Basheer had wanted to show young people that honor and life were not mutually exclusive.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2025
If the heavens were fair, wartime misfortunes would be mutually exclusive; since Baby was sick, she could not be harmed in an air raid.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
