mutual
/'mju:tjuəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Reciprocal; directed and received by each party toward the other(s): Describes feelings, actions, or relationships that are exchanged, felt, or performed by two or more parties equally toward each other.
- Shared in common; jointly held or experienced: Describes something that is possessed, felt, or undertaken by two or more parties together.
Usage and Examples
Reciprocal Sense:
- Their mutual respect was evident in every conversation. (The respect each person had for the other was clear.)
- The agreement was based on mutual benefit. (The agreement provided advantages for all involved parties in return.)
Common/Shared Sense:
- We were introduced by a mutual friend. (We were introduced by a friend we both know.)
- The project is a mutual responsibility of the entire team. (The project is a shared duty for all team members.)
Advanced Usage
"Mutual understanding": A shared comprehension or agreement between parties, often without needing explicit words.
- After years of working together, they had a deep mutual understanding.
"Mutual agreement": A consensus or contract reached by all involved parties.
- The contract was terminated by mutual agreement.
"Mutual fund" (Note: This is a compound financial term listed here as it is a common fixed phrase. The core adjective 'mutual' retains its sense of 'shared' or 'collective').
- She invested her savings in a mutual fund.
Variants and Related Words
- Mutually (adverb): In a mutual manner; reciprocally.
- The decision was mutually beneficial.
- Mutuality (noun): The quality or state of being mutual.
- The success of the partnership depends on a sense of mutuality.
Synonyms
- Reciprocal: Given and received in return; corresponding.
- Common: Shared by, coming from, or done by more than one.
- Joint: Shared, held, or made by two or more parties together.
- Interactive: Acting upon or influencing each other.
Antonyms
- Unilateral: Performed or undertaken by only one party.
- One-sided: Favoring one party; not reciprocal.
Related Phrases and Idioms
"Mutual admiration society": A situation where two or more people frequently praise each other, often excessively or insincerely.
- Those two critics are a real mutual admiration society; they never criticize each other's work.
"By mutual consent": With the agreement of all parties involved.
- The marriage was dissolved by mutual consent.
Adjective
- concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
- reciprocal aid
- reciprocal trade
- mutual respect
- reciprocal privileges at other clubs
- common to or shared by two or more parties
- a common friend
- the mutual interests of management and labor