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REFERENCE

mutual

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈmjutʃuəɫ// UK //mjˈuːtʃuːəl// mu·tu·al Academic

adj. shared by two or more people. If you and a friend both like the same music, you have a mutual interest.

adj. held in common by two or more parties; experienced or done by each of two or more parties toward the other.


SIMPLE

The two companies reached a mutual agreement.

CONTEXTUAL

They decided to end their relationship by mutual consent after realizing they wanted different things.

COMPLEX

The success of the partnership relied on mutual respect and a shared vision for the future of the technology sector.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French mutuel, from Latin mūtuus.

Usage

Commonly used in the phrase 'mutual friend' to describe someone known by two people who do not necessarily know each other well.

Pitfall

We have a common friendWe have a mutual friendWhile 'common' means shared, 'mutual friend' is the standard idiomatic expression for a shared acquaintance.

Idioms1 entry

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