intermediate

1 of 3

adjective

in·​ter·​me·​di·​ate ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət 

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

: mediator, go-between

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 

intermediated; intermediating; intermediates

intransitive verb

1

: intervene, interpose

2

: to act as an intermediate

Synonyms

Adjective

• average
• mean
• median
• medium
• middle
• middling
• midsize
• midsized
• moderate
• modest

Noun

• broker
• buffer
• conciliator
• go-between
• honest broker
• interceder
• intercessor
• intermediary
• interposer
• mediator
• middleman
• peacemaker

Verb

• intercede
• interpose
• intervene
• mediate

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

Adjective

Instead test-time compute introduces structured interventions in which computer systems are built to double-check their work through intermediate calculations or extra algorithms applied to their final responses. —Lauren Leffer, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2025

Amtrak Auto Train route and schedule The Auto Train runs every day between Lorton and Sanford with no intermediate stops. —Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

Elemental sulfur exists as an eight-atom ring, and the reactions with lithium are slow enough that semi-stable intermediates with smaller chains of sulfur end up forming. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2025

Experts can ski steep and challenging terrain while intermediates can take wide turns down glades and bowls. —Cassidy Randall, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Verb

According to a Goldman Sachs note this month, if alternative allocations rose to about 15% of assets intermediated by advisors, the total addressable market would reach roughly $5 trillion. —Sarah Min, CNBC, 9 Jan. 2025

Most of his throws have been short to intermediate, and he’s been inconsistent. —Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 31 July 2024

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

Phrases Containing intermediate

• intermediate host
• intermediate school
• intermediate vector boson

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 

: being or occurring at the middle place, stage, or degree or between extremes

the remaining subjects progressed to some intermediate stage of disease

—R. 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 

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