intermediary
in-ter-MEE-dee-air-ee
/ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ə.ri/
A person or organization that acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement; a middleman.
Often carries a neutral or slightly negative connotation in supply chains, as they add cost but also provide necessary connections.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'intermedius', literally 'in the middle'. It has been used since the 17th century to describe anything that occupies a middle position.
Word relationships
- middleman: Middleman is the common term; intermediary is more formal and can apply to processes, not just people.
- broker: A broker is a specific type of intermediary who negotiates sales.
- principal: The main party involved in a transaction, not the link.
Commonly confused with
- mediator: A mediator resolves conflicts; an intermediary facilitates transactions or communication.
Word family
- intermediate (adjective): Coming between two things in time, place, or order.
Collocations
- financial intermediary
- act as an intermediary
- eliminate the intermediary
Example sentences
- "By selling directly to consumers online, the farm eliminated the need for an intermediary." Supply chain efficiency.
- "The broker acted as an intermediary between the grain elevator and the international shipping line." Negotiations.
Memory hook
An 'INTER' (between) 'MEDI' (medium/middle) person. The intermediary is the bridge between two sides.
When not to use
Don't use it for the final seller (retailer) or the original maker (producer); it's only for those in between.
Fun facts
- In the traditional spice trade, a peppercorn might pass through ten different intermediaries before reaching a kitchen in Europe.
Related words
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.