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

• collaborative
• collective
• combined
• common
• communal
• concerted
• conjoint
• conjunct
• cooperative
• joint
• multiple
• pooled
• public
• shared
• united

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

This collaboration fuels mutual learnings that strengthen bonds and benefit the organization. —Glenn Llopis, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

Yet mutual distrust has at times prevailed, with both sides occasionally accusing one another of failing to uphold their side of security commitments. —Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 June 2025

There was a mutual respect there, one that might just pay off in the form of an unlikely title when Sunday rolls around. —Sam Amick, New York Times, 20 June 2025

Then their mutual friend Jimmy Herbst stepped in and the two groups teamed up. —Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 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