mutual

/'mju:tjuəl/
Học thuật
Thân thiện
mutual

They have a mutual agreement to share the garden's harvest.

Definition
  1. 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.
mutual

They have a mutual agreement to share the garden's harvest.

Adjective
  1. 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
  2. common to or shared by two or more parties
    • a common friend
    • the mutual interests of management and labor