intermediate

¹ American  

[in-ter-mee-dee-it] / ˌɪn tərˈmi di ɪt /

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.

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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 American  

[in-ter-mee-dee-eyt] / ˌɪn tərˈmi diˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

intermediates, present (3rd person singular) intermediated, past participle, past intermediating present participle

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

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intermediate British  

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

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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

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• intermediator
  noun
• intermediately
  adverb
• intermediateness
  noun
• intermediation
  noun
• intermediacy
  noun
• intermediatory
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has intermediated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have intermediated
  perfect
• has been intermediating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is intermediating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• are intermediating
  progressive
• have been intermediating
  perfect progressive
• am intermediating
  progressive 1st person singular
• intermediating
  participle
• intermediates
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had intermediated
  perfect
• was intermediating
  progressive singular
• were intermediating
  progressive plural
• intermediated
  participle
• had been intermediating
  perfect progressive
• intermediated
  simple

Future

• will intermediate
  simple
• will have intermediated
  perfect
• will be intermediating
  progressive
• will have been intermediating
  perfect progressive

Etymology

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

Explanation

Use the adjective intermediate when you find yourself in that in-between stage, like after you complete an introductory class but before you are ready for the advanced stuff. The word intermediate comes from the Latin intermediatus, tracing back to intermedius, which combines inter-, meaning “between” and medius, meaning “middle.” So you can see that intermediate describes something or someone in the middle, between two distinct phases, like an intermediate swimmer who has mastered the basic strokes but isn't yet ready to join the racing team.

Example Sentences

But over the short and even intermediate terms, lasting not just several years but decades, gold’s correlation to inflation is unstable.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

At the state track and field championships, Jayden Rendon of Carson was in the lead of the 300 intermediate hurdles on Saturday when he struck the final hurdle and fell to the ground.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

Treasury yields rose in Asian trade with more increases in the short and intermediate segments than in the long end as near-term uncertainty over the Middle East conflict continues to fuel inflationary expectations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

Scientists anticipated that an intermediate form would eventually be found, making the discovery both expected and unexpected at the same time.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

The whole point of chest pain prediction is to make sure that patients who end up having major complications are assigned right away to the coronary and intermediate units.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

Related Words

• transitional