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 of intermediate

Adjective

• average
• median
• moderate

Noun

• intermediary
• mediator
• buffer
• negotiator
• broker
• liaison
• ambassador
• honest broker
• middleman

Verb

• intervene
• interfere

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

Brown dwarfs are weird objects that have masses that are intermediate between those of giant planets and small stars. — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 19 June 2026

Then, Young hit third-round pick Chris Brazzell over the middle on an intermediate route. — Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026

Noun

Joe and Anthony both repeatedly stressed the value of a guide for expert (and even pro) skiers as well as for intermediates. — Sergei Poljak, Outside, 7 Mar. 2026

This intermediate can then be chemically transformed into adipic acid, a key component in nylon production. — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026

Verb

Players range from beginners to intermediate, although they are required to have been playing at least six months to join. — William Morris, Des Moines Register, 4 Feb. 2026

These intermediates shuttle between the electrodes, causing unnecessary chemical reactions that degrade the battery’s performance and lifespan over time. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 21 Jan. 2025

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

1623, 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

Rhymes for intermediate

• immediate
• remediate

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