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.

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