mutual

adjective

mu·​tu·​al ˈmyü-chə-wəl 

-chəl,

-chü-əl;

ˈmyüch-wəl

1

a

: directed by each toward the other or the others

mutual affection

b

: having the same feelings one for the other

they had long been mutual enemies

c

: shared in common

enjoying their mutual hobby

d

: joint

to their mutual advantage

2

: characterized by intimacy

mutual contacts

3

: of or relating to a plan whereby the members of an organization share in the profits and expenses

specifically : of, relating to, or taking the form of an insurance method in which the policyholders constitute the members of the insuring company

mutually adverb

Synonyms

• collective
• joint
• collaborative
• combined
• communal

Examples of mutual in a Sentence

Mutual love and respect was the key to their successful marriage.

The partnership was based on mutual admiration and understanding.

countries relying on mutual support during difficult times

our mutual hobby of car racing

It was a mutual effort.

We had a mutual agreement not to tell our secret.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jane Skinner and Roger Goodell married in 1997 Skinner first met Goodell at a mutual friend's wedding. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025

The words dishonor every man and woman who has sworn to protect and serve the Commonwealth and undermine the foundation of mutual respect and public trust that effective law enforcement and officer safety depend upon. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2025

The Muslim World League will continue to support dialogue across faiths and nations, believing that peace built on mutual recognition is both possible and necessary. —Muhammad Bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, Time, 10 Oct. 2025

North Korea and its new military ally Russia have repeatedly affirmed their closer relationship since signing a mutual defense pact last year, and Kim has sent thousands of troops, missiles and munitions to assist Moscow’s war in Ukraine. —Helen Regan, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French mutuel, from Latin mutuus lent, borrowed, mutual, from mutare to change — more at mutable

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing mutual

• by mutual consent
• mutual fund

Rhymes for mutual

• mutuel

Kids Definition

mutual

adjective

mu·​tu·​al ˈmyüch-(ə-)wəl 

ˈmyü-chəl

1

a

: given and received in equal amount

mutual favors

b

: having the same relation one to the other

mutual enemies

2

: owned, shared, or enjoyed by two or more at the same time : joint

our mutual friend

mutual defense

3

: organized so that the customers share directly in the company's profits and losses

a mutual savings bank

a mutual insurance company

mutually

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

mutual

adjective

mu·​tu·​al ˈmyü-chə-wəl 

1

: directed by each toward the other : reciprocal

mutual orders of protection in domestic violence cases

—L. H. Schafran and Norman Wikler

2

: shared in common : joint

spouses' mutual obligation to support children of their marriage

—Louisiana Civil Code

3

: of or relating to a plan whereby the members of an organization share in the profits and expenses

specifically : of, relating to, or taking the form of an insurance method in which the policyholders constitute the members of the insuring company

mutually adverb