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

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

Bonds have been a safer bet, with the average intermediate core bond fund flat this year.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

She’s coming to try to break the national record in the 300 intermediate hurdles held by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 29, 2026

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

I caught my breath and asked an intermediate question, "Does your mother also know Dr. Gershom?"

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• transitional