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)

intermediated, intermediating

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

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

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

Example Sentences

However, Iran is unlikely to have large numbers of intermediate or even long-range ballistic missiles.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 2026

However, weakness was broad-based, with declines in capital goods and intermediate goods, offset by a solid increase in energy production, Eurostat said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Researchers addressed these issues by introducing a nickel alloy-based intermediate layer.

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

Ebitda is expected to improve significantly with limited sales growth because MP is shifting from selling intermediate product to higher-value rare earth materials.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

Milgram found that the number of intermediate links ranged from two to ten, with five being the most common number.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

Related Words

• transitional