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Intermediary: meaning, definitions and examples

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intermediary

 

[ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ə.ri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

A person who acts as a link between people in order to try to bring about an agreement or reconciliation; a mediator.

Synonyms

facilitator, go-between, mediator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intermediary

Used in formal situations to describe someone who acts as a middle person in processes like business transactions, negotiations, or any scenario involving multiple parties.

  • The company hired an intermediary to help negotiate the merger.
  • He acted as an intermediary between the disputing parties.
mediator

Specifically used in situations where a neutral third party is required to resolve a dispute or conflict between two or more parties. Often used in legal, business, or organizational disputes.

  • The couple hired a mediator to help with their divorce settlement.
  • The mediator worked to find a fair resolution for both sides.
go-between

Informal and can sometimes have a negative connotation, used to describe a person who communicates between two parties, often in secret or when parties don't want direct interaction.

  • She acted as a go-between for the two companies.
  • He was the go-between in their secret negotiations.
facilitator

Often used in educational or organizational settings to refer to someone who helps a group of people understand their common objectives and assists them in planning to achieve these objectives without taking a particular position in the discussion.

  • The workshop was successful largely due to the skilled facilitator.
  • She served as a facilitator during the team-building activities.

Examples of usage

  • The intermediary negotiated a deal between the two companies.
  • As an intermediary, she helped resolve the conflict between the parties.
Context #2 | Noun

technology

A device or program that acts as a link between different systems or networks.

Synonyms

connector, interface, link.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
intermediary

An intermediary is used when speaking about a person or entity that acts as a mediator or go-between in negotiations or communications between parties.

  • The lawyer acted as an intermediary between the two disputing companies.
  • They hired an intermediary to handle the delicate negotiations.
interface

Interface is primarily used in technical or computing contexts to describe a point of interaction between systems, software, or devices.

  • The new software includes a user-friendly interface.
  • The interface between the two programs allows them to communicate effectively.
connector

Connector is used to describe a device or element that physically joins or links components in a system, often in electronic or mechanical contexts.

  • The engineer used a new type of connector to link the two circuits.
  • This social event can act as a connector for people from different industries.
link

Link is often used in general contexts to denote a connection or relationship between objects, ideas, or people. It can also refer to hyperlinks in digital contexts.

  • She could see a clear link between the two events.
  • Click on the link to access the document.

Examples of usage

  • The router acts as an intermediary between the computer and the internet.
  • The API serves as an intermediary for communication between different software applications.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'intermediarius,' meaning 'in the middle.'
  • It combines 'inter-' meaning 'between' and 'mediare,' which means 'to be in the middle.'
  • The term has been used in English since the late Middle Ages, evolving through legal and diplomatic contexts.

Business

  • In business, intermediaries can be sales agents or brokers who facilitate deals between buyers and sellers.
  • They play a crucial role in supply chains, ensuring products move from producers to consumers efficiently.
  • The rise of online platforms has created new types of intermediaries that connect services and clients directly.

Communication

  • Intermediaries are essential in negotiation processes, helping conflicting parties reach agreements.
  • They often manage misunderstandings by clarifying messages between involved parties.
  • In language, an intermediary might refer to a translator who helps communicate across different languages.

Technology

  • In computing, intermediaries can be servers that relay data between users, improving communication in networks.
  • APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) serve as intermediaries, allowing different software systems to interact smoothly.
  • Intermediary devices, like routers, help direct internet traffic efficiently, making online browsing possible.

Social Sciences

  • Social intermediaries can be community leaders or organizations that help marginalized groups connect with resources.
  • They play a role in social capital, linking people and fostering networks for collaboration.
  • Understanding the dynamics of power and influence, intermediaries can facilitate community dialogues and partnerships.

Translations

Translations of the word "intermediary" in other languages:

🇵🇹 intermediário

🇮🇳 मध्यस्थ

🇩🇪 Vermittler

🇮🇩 perantara

🇺🇦 посередник

🇵🇱 pośrednik

🇯🇵 仲介者 (ちゅうかいしゃ)

🇫🇷 intermédiaire

🇪🇸 intermediario

🇹🇷 aracı

🇰🇷 중개인 (중개자)

🇸🇦 وسيط

🇨🇿 zprostředkovatel

🇸🇰 sprostredkovateľ

🇨🇳 中间人 (zhōngjiānrén)

🇸🇮 posrednik

🇮🇸 milligöngumaður

🇰🇿 делдал

🇬🇪 შუამავალი

🇦🇿 vasitəçi

🇲🇽 intermediario

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,775, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.