Definition of 'mutual'

Word Frequency

mutual

(mjuːtʃuəl )

1. adjective

You use mutual to describe a situation, feeling, or action that is experienced, felt, or done by both of two people mentioned.

The East and the West can work together for their mutual benefit and progress.

It's plain that he adores his daughter, and the feeling is mutual.

Synonyms: shared, common, joint, interactive More Synonyms of mutual

mutually adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb, ADVERB before verb]

Attempts to reach a mutually agreed solution had been fruitless.

A meeting would take place at a mutually convenient time.

2. mutually exclusive

3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

You use mutual to describe something such as an interest which two or more people share.

They do, however, share a mutual interest in design.

We were introduced by a mutual friend.

4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

If a building society or an insurance company has mutual status, it is not owned by shareholders but by its customers, who receive a share of the profits.

[British, business]

Britain's third-largest building society abandoned its mutual status and became a bank.

Video: pronunciation of
mutual

mutual in British English

(ˈmjuːtʃʊəl )

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

▶ 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

Derived forms

mutuality (ˌmjuːtjʊˈælɪtɪ ) or mutualness (ˈmutualness)

noun

mutually (ˈmutually)

adverb

Word origin

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

Word Frequency

mutual in American English

(ˈmjutʃuəl )

adjective

done, felt, etc. by each of two or more for or toward the other or others; reciprocal

mutual admiration

of, or having the same relationship toward, each other or one another

mutual enemies

shared in common; joint

our mutual friend

designating or of a type of insurance in which the policyholders elect the directors, share in the profits, and agree to indemnify one another against loss

SYNONYMY NOTE: mutual may be used for an interchange of feeling between two persons [John and Joe are mutual enemies] or may imply a sharing jointly with others [the mutual efforts of a group]; reciprocal implies a return in kind or degree by each of two sides of what is given or demonstrated by the other [a reciprocal trade agreement], or it may refer to any inversely corresponding relationship [the reciprocal functions of two machine parts]; common simply implies a being shared by others or by all the members of a group [our common interests]

Derived forms

mutuality (ˌmutuˈality) (ˈmjutʃuˈæləti )

nounWord forms: plural ˌmutuˈalities

mutually (ˈmutually)

adverb

Word origin

LME mutuall < MFr mutuel < L mutuus, mutual, reciprocal < mutare, to change, exchange: see miss1

Word Frequency

mutual in Insurance

(myutʃuəl)

adjective

(Insurance: General)

If a savings and loan association or an insurance company has mutual status, it is owned by its customers.

Mutual companies are owned by the policyholders, while stock holders own stock insurance companies.

A mutual insurance company has no formal stockholders or capital stock, and is owned by its policyholders.

If a savings and loan association or an insurance company has mutual status, it is owned by its customers.

mutual aid society, mutual fund, mutual insurance, mutual insurer

Examples of 'mutual' in a sentence
mutual

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The moon in your values chart adds a mutual respect that makes a love match work.The surprise yesterday was that the feeling was mutual.We work together across many areas of mutual interest and we have that special relationship between us.We have lots of mutual friends and we do our holidays together.They met through mutual friends earlier this year.There is a lot of mutual respect between the two that they are outsiders fighting the political establishment.Parents and schools must emphasise the importance of mutual respect and tolerance and warn of the damage bullying can do.Its mutual benefits are freely and frequently acknowledged on both sides of the Atlantic.If the royal family is an admirer of his hospitality, the feeling is mutual.She joined the company that I work for a few years ago and mutual interests drew us together.