mutual

1 of 2

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

a mutual obligation

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

mutual

2 of 2

noun

plural mutuals

informal

: a reciprocal or mutual follower on social media

… your mutuals—someone you follow who follows you back …

—Morgan Sung

… when you meet someone …, only to find out that you have mutuals on Instagram …

—Kaitlyn Wylde

Synonyms of mutual

Adjective

• collective
• joint
• collaborative
• combined
• communal

Examples of mutual in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

The two bonded over their mutual love for Atlanta and its vibrant culture before Trae and Quavo faced off in a friendly yet competitive game of HORSE on the basketball court. —Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025

As Sargeant sees it, to recognize our mutual dependence is to mix more with our friends and neighbors, to ask for help and favors and reciprocate them freely, and to create a web of relationships that affirm our fundamental interdependence. —Anna Louie Sussman, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025

The couple first met through a mutual friend in 2018 and later got married in October 2019 at the Belcourt of Newport mansion in Rhode Island. —Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

Gabrielle Souza knows firsthand about the lifesaving power of mutual aid. —James Factora, Them., 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Noun

2008, in the meaning defined above

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