WordGarden.iomutual
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /mjˈuːtʃuːəl/
US
- /ˈmjutʃuəl/
Meanings
Adjective
shared by two or more parties, or felt equally toward each other
Beyond the definition
Imagine two friends always helping each other out. That is a mutual relationship. It means something is shared between two people, groups, or things, and it goes both ways. Think of an agreement where both sides accept the same plan; that is a mutual understanding. Mutual can also describe feelings: if you and another person feel the same way about each other, the feeling is mutual. You might also have mutual friends with someone, meaning you both know the same people.
The word mutual describes a relationship, feeling, or arrangement that is shared between two or more people, groups, or things. Usually, it suggests that both sides are involved in the same way or give and receive something in return. Think of two people helping each other, or two groups agreeing on the same plan: in both cases, the connection is mutual.
You will often see mutual when people talk about shared benefits or shared understanding. A mutual agreement is one that both sides accept. Mutual respect means each person respects the other. Mutual feelings means both people feel the same way about each other. A mutual friend is a person known by both people.
Beyond personal relationships, mutual can also be used in more formal or technical contexts. In biology, for example, two species may have a relationship in which each helps the other survive. In finance, a "mutual fund" is a pool of investments shared by many investors, and a "mutual insurance company" is owned by its policyholders.
The word comes from the Latin mutuus, meaning "reciprocal" or "done in exchange." That history matches the main idea of the word today: something mutual is shared, common to both sides, or felt in the same way by each side.
Examples
- 1
Respect
We stayed polite because we had mutual respect for each other.
- 2
Social connections
Jenna and I met through a mutual friend.
- 3
Contract ending
The two companies ended the contract by mutual agreement.
- Phraseby mutual agreement
because both sides agreed
- 4
Shared benefits
The plan will bring mutual benefits to the school and the community.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Understanding
After a long talk, they reached a mutual understanding.
- 6
Same feeling
"I don't really trust him." "The feeling is mutual."
- Phrasethe feeling is mutual
the other person feels the same way
- 7
Divorce decision
Their divorce was a mutual decision, not something one person forced.
- 8
Investing
She moved her savings into a mutual fund last year.
- Domainmutual fund
a way to invest money together with many other people
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- mutual agreement
- mutual benefit
- mutual friend
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- mutualadjective