mutual friend

Meaning

A 'mutual friend' is a person who is a friend of two people who may or may not know each other well. It is commonly used when explaining how two people first met or how they are connected in a social network. The tone is completely neutral and suitable for both casual and professional contexts.

Examples

• We actually met through a mutual friend at a housewarming party.

  We actually met through a mutual friend at a housewarming party.

• I realized that Sarah and I have a few mutual friends on social media.

  I realized that Sarah and I have a few mutual friends on social media.

• If you need an introduction to the CEO, our mutual friend Dave can help.

  If you need an introduction to the CEO, our mutual friend Dave can help.

• It's a small world; it turns out my new coworker is a mutual friend of my cousin.

  It's a small world; it turns out my new coworker is a mutual friend of my cousin.

• We don't have many mutual friends, but we still get along really well.

  We don't have many mutual friends, but we still get along really well.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We met through a common friend.

  ✓ We met through a mutual friend.

  While 'common' makes sense logically, native speakers almost exclusively use 'mutual' when referring to a shared friend. 'Common friend' can sometimes sound like the friend is ordinary or low-class.

• ✗ She is a friend of both of us.

  ✓ She is a mutual friend.

  While grammatically correct, 'friend of both of us' is wordy and less natural than simply saying 'mutual friend' in casual conversation.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I didn't know you knew Marcus! He's actually a ___ of mine from college.

  💡 A shared friend between two people.

  Show answer

  mutual friend

• They were introduced by a ___ who thought they would get along perfectly.

  💡 Someone who is friends with both of them.

  Show answer

  mutual friend