English Reference
adjective · noun

mutual

adj. · n.
US /ˈmjutʃuəɫ/ UK /mjˈuːtʃuːəl/ mu·tu·al UK spelling mutuals

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.used to describe a feeling or action that two people have for each other.

    adj.denoting a feeling, action, or relationship that is reciprocal between two or more parties.

    Simple

    The two companies ended the partnership by mutual agreement.

    In context

    The respect between the two rival scientists was mutual, despite their long-standing disagreements over experimental methodology.

    one sidedunrequited
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.shared by two or more people, like a friend you both know.

    adj.held in common by two or more parties; frequently used in the collocation 'mutual friend'.

    Simple

    We met at a party through a mutual friend from university.

    In context

    The investigation revealed that the two suspects had several mutual acquaintances in the local shipping industry.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced TechnicalFormal Law

    adj.owned by the people who use the service, rather than by outside shareholders.

    adj.relating to a financial institution or insurance company owned by its members or policyholders rather than by outside shareholders.

    Simple

    A mutual insurance company is owned by the people it insures.

    In context

    The building society voted to remain a mutual organisation rather than converting into a public limited company.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalSlang Computing

    n.someone on social media who follows you, and you follow them back.

    n.a person with whom one has a reciprocal following relationship on a social media platform.

    Simple

    I saw one of my mutuals posted about the concert last night.

    In context

    The artist often interacts with their mutuals on the platform to build a stronger sense of community among fellow creators.

    mutual follower
  5. 05 C1 Advanced TechnicalFormal Law

    n.a company, like a bank or insurance firm, owned by its members.

    n.a mutual organisation, such as a building society or insurance company.

    Simple

    Many small banks in the region are still run as mutuals.

    In context

    The regulatory framework for mutuals differs significantly from that governing traditional commercial banks with external investors.

Usage barrier mutual · mutual benefit · mutual interest

The entire system effectively relied on mutual improvisation: Drivers guessed where the road went, and pedestrians guessed whether they were about to become part of automotive history.

Ars Technica· 3 Aug 2026

When Hockney moved from London to Los Angeles in 1964, a mutual friend introduced him to the writer Christopher Isherwood .

Smithsonian Magazine· 17 Jun 2026

Borrowed from Middle French mutuel, from Latin mūtuus.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Latin mūtuus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated