View synonyms for mutual

mutual

[ myoo-choo-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

possessed, experienced, performed, etc., by each of two or more with respect to the other; reciprocal:
to have mutual respect.
having the same relation each toward the other:
to be mutual enemies.
of or relating to each of two or more; held in common; shared:
mutual interests.
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: mutual insurance.
a mutual company.

noun

Informal. a mutual fund.

mutual

/ ˈmjuːtʃʊəl; ˌmjuːtjʊˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

experienced or expressed by each of two or more people or groups about the other; reciprocal
mutual distrust
common to or shared by both or all of two or more parties
a mutual friend
mutual interests
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

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Derived Forms

ˈmutually, adverb
mutuality, noun

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Other Words From

mu·tu·al·ly adverb
non·mu·tu·al adjective
qua·si-mu·tu·al adjective
trans·mu·tu·al adjective
un·mu·tu·al adjective

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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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of mutual¹

C15: from Old French mutuel, from Latin mūtuus reciprocal (originally: borrowed); related to mūtāre to change

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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.

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