Meaning & use
mutually beneficial
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
giving advantages to both sides involved
Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a mutually beneficial deal / The deal is mutually beneficial.
Patterns
- mutually beneficial to someone
- mutually beneficial for someone
- mutually beneficial relationship
The two firms signed a mutually beneficial agreement.
Their friendship is mutually beneficial: she helps him study, and he fixes her computer.
A mutually beneficial solution should leave both sides satisfied.
Common combinations
- mutually beneficial relationship
- They built a mutually beneficial relationship over many years.
- mutually beneficial agreement
- The union called the new contract mutually beneficial.
- mutually beneficial to
- The changes are mutually beneficial to workers and managers.
- prove mutually beneficial
- The partnership proved mutually beneficial for both charities.
Synonyms and how they differ
- win-win
- This is more informal and often used for deals or situations; 'mutually beneficial' is more formal.
- advantageous
- This means helpful or favorable, but it does not necessarily mean both sides gain.
Opposites
Word family
- mutual benefit phrase
- The noun phrase for the advantages both sides get.
- beneficial adjective
- Having a good effect; helpful.
- benefit noun
- An advantage or good effect.
Commonly confused: mutually beneficial or mutual benefits?
mutually beneficial vs mutual benefits
This is the noun phrase; 'mutually beneficial' is the adjective. Compare: mutual benefits of trade vs. a mutually beneficial trade deal.
Practice
The two sides described the deal as ________ because each would gain something important.
Choose one answer.
After 'as' we need an adjective to describe the deal, so 'mutually beneficial' is correct. 'Mutual benefits' and 'mutual benefit' are noun phrases, and 'mutually benefit' is a verb phrase, so they do not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mutually beneficial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.