intermediary
gb/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/ us/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
B2
English
~ 9000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
B2
entity
1
person or body acting between sides
A person or group that is in the middle and helps two sides talk, work together, or do business.
Usage pattern:
[someone] acts as an intermediary between [group A] and [group B]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "intermediary" with "intermediate". "Intermediary" is usually a noun (a person or organization in the middle), while "intermediate" is usually an adjective describing level or stage (for example, "an intermediate level" of English). Some learners also use "intermediary" where "mediator" is more natural in the context of resolving conflicts specifically.
Synonyms
mediator (Often used when the intermediary helps solve a conflict or dispute in a more formal or legal setting.)
|
go-between (More informal and everyday; can sound slightly less professional than intermediary.)
|
middleman (Common in business; can suggest an unnecessary extra layer or someone taking a cut.)
Antonyms
direct contact (Describes a situation where the two sides communicate with each other without anyone in the middle.)
Collocations
act as an intermediary
|serve as an intermediary
|through an intermediary
|use an intermediary
|financial intermediary
|intermediary between the parties
Themes
business
|law
|communication
|politics
|relationships
Examples
- The charity acted as an intermediary between donors and local schools.
- All communication with the company must go through an appointed intermediary.
- They used a trusted intermediary to pass messages during the sensitive negotiations.
- A financial intermediary can help small investors access complex markets.
- The lawyer served as an intermediary between the victim’s family and the insurance firm.
Learner examples
- She works as an intermediary between buyers and sellers.
- We spoke to the company through an intermediary.
- The bank is an intermediary between people who save and people who borrow.
- They used an intermediary to keep their names secret.
- An intermediary helped the two groups make a deal.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
2
middle stage or form in a process
A middle step, form, or substance that comes between the beginning and the end of a process.
Usage pattern:
an intermediary [stage/form/step] between [state A] and [state B]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "intermediary" when "intermediate" is more natural for describing levels or difficulty (for example, "intermediate level", not "*intermediary level*"). "Intermediary" as a noun for a stage is more common in technical, scientific, or formal writing than in everyday speech.
Synonyms
intermediate stage (More common in general usage; very close in meaning but less tied to the idea of serving between two specific endpoints.)
|
middle step (More informal and general; lacks the technical or process-focused tone of "intermediary".)
Antonyms
final stage (The last part of a process, which contrasts with an intermediary stage that comes before the end.)
Collocations
intermediary step
|intermediary stage
|intermediary form
|intermediary product
|intermediary host
|chemical intermediary
Themes
science
|technology
|process
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This treatment is only an intermediary step before the final surgery.
- The virus needs an animal as an intermediary host before it can infect humans.
- The researchers identified several intermediary products formed during the reaction.
- An intermediary phase connects the early prototype and the finished design.
- The software uses an intermediary format to convert files between systems.
Learner examples
- This is just an intermediary step in the plan.
- Water can be an intermediary state between ice and steam.
- The project has many intermediary stages before the final test.
- The disease passes through an intermediary host.
- We use an intermediary file when we move data from one system to another.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
having a role in between sides
Describes something that is in the middle and helps connect or manage two sides or stages.
Usage pattern:
an intermediary [body/organization/role/step] between [A] and [B]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use the adjective "intermediary" where a noun is needed (for example, saying "*He is an intermediary role*" instead of "He has an intermediary role" or "He is an intermediary"). They may also confuse it with "intermediate", which is more common for describing levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
Synonyms
mediating (Focuses more on actively helping to resolve differences; often used in social or political contexts.)
|
intermediate (More general for something between two points; less focused on the functional role of connecting or managing.)
Antonyms
direct (Describes contact or connection with no one or nothing in the middle, the opposite of an intermediary role.)
Collocations
intermediary body
|intermediary organization
|intermediary role
|intermediary company
|intermediary layer
|intermediary structure
Themes
business
|law
|technology
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- An intermediary body was set up to oversee talks between the two governments.
- They created an intermediary company to handle payments from foreign clients.
- The app uses an intermediary server to protect user data.
- This agency plays an intermediary role between artists and record labels.
- The new law removes several intermediary layers in the approval process.
Learner examples
- The group has an intermediary role between workers and managers.
- We pay the fee to an intermediary company.
- The system sends data through an intermediary server.
- An intermediary body will check the results.
- There is no intermediary layer in the new process.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intermediary
IPA
GB/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
US/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
in - ter - me - di - ary (5 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ter)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: intermediary
Noun
- Base: intermediary
- Plural: intermediaries
Word family
Forms
intermediaries
noun
Related words
intermediate
adjective B1
Negative and opposite forms
immediate
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
intermediation
noun
Expressions
act as an intermediary
1/ˈækt ˈæz ən ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
serve as a go-between
to be the person or group in the middle who helps two sides talk, work together, or make a deal
Examples
- A local lawyer will act as an intermediary during the negotiations.
- The embassy can act as an intermediary if you have problems with the local authorities.
financial intermediary
1/fɪnˈænʃəl ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
fixed phrase
technical
institution between savers and borrowers
a bank or other company that is in the middle and moves money from people who save to people or businesses who need to borrow
Examples
- Banks are the most common type of financial intermediary in modern economies.
- A financial intermediary can reduce risk for small investors.
intermediary body
1/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi bˈɑdi/
fixed phrase
formal
organization linking two groups
an organization that stands in the middle and helps two larger groups or institutions work together
Examples
- An independent intermediary body will monitor the peace agreement.
- The council will create an intermediary body to manage talks with local communities.
intermediary role
1/ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi ɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
formal
function of being between sides
a job or function where someone or something is in the middle and helps connect or manage two sides
Examples
- The union plays an important intermediary role between staff and management.
- Social workers often take on an intermediary role between families and state agencies.
through an intermediary
1/θɹˈu ən ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
indirectly, using a third party
by using another person or group in the middle instead of speaking or dealing directly
Examples
- All payments must be made through an intermediary to protect your identity.
- They sent their demands to the government through an intermediary.
via an intermediary
1/vˈiə ən ˌɪntɚmˈidiɛɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
using a middle person or body
using a person or group in the middle to do something, instead of doing it directly
Examples
- The company prefers to trade with foreign clients via an intermediary.
- Sensitive data is transferred via an intermediary to add an extra layer of security.