Word
intermediary
Phoneticsin·ter·me·di·ary
US/ˌɪnɝˈmidiɛɹi/
UK/ˌɪntəmˈiːdiːəɹi/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person or organization that acts as a link between two groups. You use this when two sides cannot or will not talk to each other directly.
n. a person or entity acting as a mediator or link between two parties, typically to facilitate communication or negotiation. Often implies a neutral or professional role in resolving disputes or managing transactions.
Examples
“The lawyer acted as an intermediary between the two families.”
“The bank serves as a financial intermediary, moving money from savers to borrowers in a secure way.”
“Diplomatic efforts stalled until a neutral third-party state agreed to serve as an intermediary, allowing the warring factions to exchange terms without meeting face-to-face.”
Examples
simple
“The lawyer acted as an intermediary between the two families.”
contextual
“The bank serves as a financial intermediary, moving money from savers to borrowers in a secure way.”
complex
“Diplomatic efforts stalled until a neutral third-party state agreed to serve as an intermediary, allowing the warring factions to exchange terms without meeting face-to-face.”
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'act as', 'serve as', or 'function as'.
Real-World Examples
“George I , who reigned between 1714 and 1727, preferred his native Hanover to his new dominion and had relied heavily on interpreters and intermediaries throughout his reign.” “It’s known that the Incas practiced a human sacrifice ritual known as Capachoca, in which children were offered to the mountains and believed to become divine themselves, serving as intermediaries with the gods.” Etymology
From French intermédiaire, adjusted to simulate a borrowing from Medieval Latin *intermediārius.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/intermediary