intermediate

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
1
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
2
: of or relating to an intermediate school
an intermediate curriculum
intermediately adverb
intermediateness noun

intermediate

2 of 3

noun

1
: one that is intermediate
2
3
a
: a chemical compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usually intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex products
b
: a usually short-lived chemical species formed in a reaction as an intermediate step between the starting material and the final product
4
: an automobile larger than a compact but smaller than a full-sized automobile

intermediate

3 of 3

verb

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ˌāt How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
intermediated; intermediating; intermediates

intransitive verb

1
2
: to act as an intermediate

Examples of intermediate in a Sentence

Adjective an intermediate stage of growth I'm taking intermediate French this year. Noun she often used her father as an intermediate in arguments with her mother Verb if the secretary-general chooses to intermediate in this dispute, he'll need all of his diplomatic skills just to get both sides in the same room
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Silt Silt is also very fine, with particles intermediate in size between clay and sand. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 Dec. 2024 Tactical decisions – these decisions address intermediate issues to help achieve strategy priorities. Terina Allen, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
But intermediates especially will appreciate how confidence-inspiring the Santa Ana 87 is all over the mountain. Jenny Wiegand, Outside Online, 20 Dec. 2024 It’s rated for advanced intermediates into experts and designed for front side use and ripping groomers. Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Verb
Most of his throws have been short to intermediate, and he’s been inconsistent. Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 31 July 2024 This creates a toxic buildup of LPS biosynthesis intermediates in the cell. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 5 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intermediate 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Medieval Latin intermediatus, from Latin intermedius, from inter- + medius mid, middle — more at mid

Verb

Medieval Latin intermediatus, past participle of intermediare, from Latin inter- + Late Latin mediare to mediate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermediate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near intermediate

Cite this Entry

“Intermediate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermediate. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

intermediate

adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate
ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ət
: being or occurring in the middle or between extremes
intermediate noun
intermediately adverb
Etymology

Adjective

Middle Latin intermediatus "intermediate," derived from Latin inter- "among, in the midst" and medius "middle" — related to median entry 1

Medical Definition

intermediate

1 of 2 adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌint-ər-ˈmēd-ē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
the remaining subjects progressed to some intermediate stage of diseaseR. R. Redfield et al.

intermediate

2 of 2 noun
: one that is intermediate
especially : a chemical compound synthesized from simpler compounds and usually intended to be used in later syntheses of more complex products
pharmaceutical intermediates

Legal Definition

intermediate

adjective
in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət How to pronounce intermediate (audio)
1
: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes
an intermediate order
2
: of, relating to, or being a level of judicial scrutiny to ensure equal protection of the laws that is applied to a statute involving classification of persons and that is more intensive than the rational basis test and not as severe as strict scrutiny
intermediate review
intermediate scrutiny
intermediately adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on intermediate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!