What does mutually mean?
Mutually means that two or more people, groups, or things are involved reciprocally: each gives, receives, shares, or affects the other. It is especially common in formal and professional contexts, as in mutually beneficial, mutually exclusive, and mutually agreeable. The word can suggest equality or reciprocal benefit, although that reciprocity is sometimes implied rather than expressly stated. For example, mutually exclusive describes options that cannot both be chosen at once, while a mutually beneficial agreement benefits all parties. Although it may sound formal in everyday conversation, mutually is useful when a speaker wants to emphasize that a relationship works in both directions rather than benefiting only one side. It is normally used with two or more participants, and its meaning can depend heavily on the adjective or participle that follows it.
adverbIn a way that involves two or more people or things acting reciprocally or sharing something with one another.
- In a reciprocal manner, with each of two or more people or things giving, receiving, or sharing something.
"The two organizations reached a mutually beneficial agreement."
"The negotiators reached a mutually acceptable compromise."
"Their interests are mutually dependent, so neither side can prosper without the other."
Mutually turns two directions into a circle of exchange: what one gives, the other returns.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mutually come from?
Mutually was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to the adjective mutual. Mutual itself was borrowed from Latin mutualis, meaning reciprocal or shared, and has cognates in several modern Romance languages. The English adverb developed as a concise way of expressing that an action or relationship operates reciprocally between the parties involved.
How mutually is actually used
Mutually is formal and commonly used before adjectives such as exclusive, beneficial, and agreeable. It usually implies a reciprocal relationship involving two or more parties, rather than simply a shared activity.
Easily confused with mutually
Mutual describes a relationship or arrangement in which something is shared or reciprocal, while mutually is the adverb modifying how that relationship or arrangement occurs.