intermediate

¹

[ in-ter-mee-dee-it ]

adjective

1. being, situated, or acting between two points, stages, things, persons, etc.:

   the intermediate steps in a procedure.

2. of or relating to an intermediate school.
3. Automotive. mid-size.

noun

1. a person who acts between others; intermediary; mediator.
2. something intermediate, as a form or class.
3. Chemistry. a derivative of the initial material formed before the desired product of a chemical process.

intermediate

²

[ in-ter-mee-dee-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, in·ter·me·di·at·ed, in·ter·me·di·at·ing.

1. to act as an intermediary; intervene; mediate.

intermediate

adjective

1. occurring or situated between two points, extremes, places, etc; in between
2. (of a class, course, etc) suitable for learners with some degree of skill or competence
3. physics (of a neutron) having an energy between 100 and 100 000 electronvolts
4. geology (of such igneous rocks as syenite) containing between 55 and 66 per cent silica

noun

1. something intermediate
2. a substance formed during one of the stages of a chemical process before the desired product is obtained

verb

1. intr to act as an intermediary or mediator

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˌmediˈation, noun
• ˌinterˈmediacy, noun
• ˌinterˈmediˌator, noun
• ˌinterˈmediately, adverb

Other Words From

• inter·medi·ate·ly adverb
• inter·medi·ate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermediate¹

1615–25; < Medieval Latin intermediātus, equivalent to Latin intermedi ( us ) intermediary ( inter- inter- + medius middle, in the middle) + -ātus -ate ¹

Origin of intermediate²

1600–10; < Medieval Latin intermediātus, past participle of intermediāre. See inter-, mediate

Word History and Origins

Origin of intermediate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin intermediāre to intervene, from Latin inter- + medius middle

Example Sentences

Intermediate court rulings in these cases contradict each other and raise issues that haven’t been seen before even in high-tech intellectual property law.

From Los Angeles Times

Musk, the richest man in the world, says he and his America PAC, funded with $118 million of his own money, will “keep going after this election, and prepare for the midterms and any intermediate elections.”

From Salon

Skill level: Geared toward beginner and intermediate walkers, although some walks can be more challenging if the group is willing, Murillo said.

From Los Angeles Times

Red Bull and Alpine decided to leave Verstappen, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly out on worn intermediate tyres exactly because they expected there to be a big crash and a red flag - and George Russell wanted to do the same.

From BBC

The safety car was deployed because it was 'too wet' to race, but most drivers were still on intermediate tyres.

From BBC

Related Words

• transitional