intermediary
Americannoun
plural
intermediaries-
an intermediate agent or agency; a go-between or mediator.
- Synonyms:
- umpire, arbitrator
-
a medium or means.
-
an intermediate form or stage.
adjective
-
being between; intermediate.
-
acting between persons, parties, etc.; serving as an intermediate agent or agency.
an intermediary power.
noun
-
a person who acts as a mediator or agent between parties
-
something that acts as a medium or means
-
an intermediate state or period
adjective
-
acting as an intermediary
-
situated, acting, or coming between; intermediate
Etymology
Origin of intermediary
1785–95; < Late Latin intermedi ( um ) intervening place + -ary; see intermediate 1
Explanation
An intermediary is someone who acts as a go-between or a mediator between two other people. Be careful when you're the intermediary between two friends who are fighting, because they might both end up mad at you! The word intermediary comes from the Latin intermedius, which is also the root word for intermediate. Inter- means between, and medius means the middle — intermediary retains that sense of being in the middle. Intermediaries are used to negotiate between two countries who are at odds, between a company and a client over a contract, between two bickering children, or between a boss and an employee in salary negotiations.
Vocabulary lists containing intermediary
Animal Farm
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Economics
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"Principles of Business," Vocabulary from Chapter 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Social media means that there’s no intermediary, and there are positives and negatives to that scenario.
From Salon • May 12, 2026
Because the most obvious alternative—an independent intermediary that simply tells claimants what their case is worth and facilitates settlement for a modest flat fee—has been effectively blocked.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
Archived eventually sourced it directly through TheSoloist’s manufacturer, now acting as an intermediary seller.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
Pakistan has acted as an intermediary between Iran and the US over the last few weeks, passing messages between the two.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
The city was therefore in a position to serve, Janus-like, as an intermediary between the African interior and potential markets overseas.
From "Circumference" by Nicholas Nicastro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
