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; 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.
They have called for a 19-year term for Garcia, who they say was a key intermediary.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
One well-placed source has told BBC Sport that, via an intermediary, United have made a tentative enquiry about Brighton midfielder Baleba in recent months.
From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026
Because Synapse — the intermediary connecting fintech apps and banks — was the entity that collapsed, the insurance was not triggered.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026
The Vatican — which helped broker talks that led to a U.S.-Cuba thaw during the Obama administration — has been playing a similar intermediary role with Trump and Havana.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 16, 2026
He or she should be in another room entirely, answering questions by e-mail or through the use of an intermediary.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
