Meaning
Intermediary means a person or thing that acts as a link between two parties in order to bring about an agreement or to communicate information. It can also describe something that serves as a middle stage between two processes.
Grammar and Usage
Part of speech:
- Noun: refers to a person or organization that mediates between others.
- Adjective: describes something acting as a middle or connecting stage.
Typical patterns:
- act as an intermediary between A and B
- serve as an intermediary
- intermediary organization / intermediary step
Forms:
- Plural: intermediaries
- Adjective: intermediary role, intermediary stage
Common Phrases
- financial intermediary – a bank or similar institution that connects savers and borrowers
- act as an intermediary – to help others communicate or negotiate
- intermediary stage – a middle step in a process
- trusted intermediary – a person or entity relied on to convey information fairly
Collocations
- act as an intermediary
- serve as an intermediary
- intermediary between buyers and sellers
- intermediary in negotiations
- intermediary role / step / process
Examples
- He acted as an intermediary between the two companies during the merger talks.
- Banks often serve as financial intermediaries between savers and investors.
- The lawyer played an intermediary role in the dispute resolution.
- The intermediary stage of the project involved prototype testing.
- She refused to act as an intermediary in their personal argument.
- The agent served as an intermediary for the celebrity and the media.
- Diplomats often work as intermediaries to prevent conflicts.
- The app functions as an intermediary between customers and service providers.
Synonyms or Related
- mediator
- go-between
- broker
- middleman
- negotiator
- agent
Antonym
- direct participant
- principal
- party (involved directly)