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Meaning & use

mutual

noun, adjective·Everydayinformalslang

Last updated

UK/ˈmjuːtʃuəl/
US/ˈmjuːtʃuəl/

Meanings

  1. nouncountableslanginformal

    On social media, someone you follow who also follows you back.

    Grammar: Often plural: mutuals.

    Patterns

    • a mutual of someone
    • mutuals with someone

    I only share these photos with my mutuals.

    She is a mutual of mine from an old gaming forum.

    Be careful with your posts if you have strangers as mutuals.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Felt, done or shared equally by two or more people or groups.

    Grammar: Often before a noun: mutual respect.

    Patterns

    • mutual respect
    • a mutual agreement

    The two companies ended the deal by mutual agreement.

    They share a mutual love of jazz.

    The feeling is mutual.

  3. adjectivebefore a noun

    Shared by two or more people, even though they did not plan it, as in a mutual friend.

    Grammar: Used with friend or acquaintance, though some writers prefer common.

    Patterns

    • a mutual friend

    We met through a mutual friend at a wedding.

    They have several mutual acquaintances.

Word forms

pluralmutuals

Common combinations

mutual respect
The partnership is built on mutual respect.
mutual friend
A mutual friend introduced us.
mutual benefit
The agreement is for mutual benefit.
by mutual consent
They parted by mutual consent.
the feeling is mutual
I can't stand him, and the feeling is mutual.

Synonyms and how they differ

reciprocal
Reciprocal is more formal and stresses a back-and-forth exchange.
shared
Shared simply means held by more than one, without the idea of equal feeling.
joint
Joint means done together as a combined effort, not just felt equally.
common
Common means shared by many and suits a mutual friend more naturally for some speakers.

Opposites

one-sidedunilateral

Word family

mutually adverb
in a way that is shared by both
mutuality noun
the quality of being shared
mutuals noun
people who follow each other online

Commonly confused: mutual or mutual vs common?

mutual vs mutual vs common

Mutual strictly means reciprocal. Common means shared by several people, so some writers prefer common friend.

Practice

I can't stand traffic, and the feeling is ___.

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