intermediate
/ˌɪntəˈmiːdiət/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈmiːdiət/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈmē-dē-ət/ (ame, mw)
intermediate — adjective
- intermediatepositive
- more intermediatecomparative
- most intermediatesuperlative
1. at a level that falls between the starting stage and the expert stage within a s
at a level that falls between the starting stage and the expert stage within a structured learning system or progression of steps
After finishing the beginner course, Leo signed up for an intermediate yoga class.
collocation: intermediate + noun (class, course, level)
The textbook is designed for intermediate learners of Arabic who already know basic grammar.
collocation: intermediate + learners
Rin plays piano at intermediate level — pop songs are fine, but classical pieces are hard.
This welding course fits intermediate students — too hard for beginners, too easy for experts.
The company sorted job applicants into beginner, intermediate, and advanced skill groups for training.
文法句型
intermediate + noun
be + intermediate + between + noun phrase
用法筆記
Most often used attributively before nouns like 'level', 'class', 'course', or 'student'. Frequently appears in a three-level scale alongside 'beginner/elementary' and 'advanced'.
常見錯誤
intermediate — noun
1. a person who has reached a middle stage of skill or knowledge in a particular su
a person who has reached a middle stage of skill or knowledge in a particular subject, between a complete beginner and an expert
The language school places beginners, intermediates, and advanced speakers in separate groups.
plural: intermediates as a group
Folake joined a workshop for intermediates who already knew the basics of web design.
The exam has three difficulty tiers so that beginners and intermediates each get appropriate questions.
Andrés described himself as an intermediate in Korean after two years of self-study.
- middle-level learner
Descriptive phrase rather than a single word, but expresses the same idea more clearly.
文法句型
an + intermediate
the + intermediate + of
用法筆記
Less common in everyday speech than the adjective form. When talking about people's skill levels, 'an intermediate learner' or 'at an intermediate level' sounds more natural than calling someone 'an intermediate'.
常見錯誤
2. a person who communicates between two groups or individuals to help them reach a
a person who communicates between two groups or individuals to help them reach an agreement or resolve a disagreement
The UN appointed an intermediate to facilitate talks between the warring factions.
appointed + an + intermediate + to + infinitive
Minho acted as an intermediate between the striking factory workers and the management board.
act as + an + intermediate + between
Without a trusted intermediate to carry messages back and forth, the negotiations broke down quickly.
A local elder served as an intermediate between the construction company and the nearby communities.
- mediator
More common and less formal than 'intermediate'; implies an active role in proposing solutions.
- go-between
Informal; someone who carries messages without necessarily facilitating agreement.
- arbitrator
More formal; someone who makes binding judgments, not just facilitates.
文法句型
act as + an + intermediate + between
用法筆記
More formal than 'go-between' but less formal than 'arbitrator'. Unlike 'arbitrator', an intermediate does not make binding decisions — they only facilitate communication.
常見錯誤
3. a substance that forms during a chemical reaction and is later used as a startin
a substance that forms during a chemical reaction and is later used as a starting material to produce a more complex final product
The chemist isolated the intermediate before it could react with other compounds in the mixture.
passive: isolate the intermediate
This intermediate is then combined with a catalyst to produce the final pharmaceutical drug.
During the synthesis, a short-lived intermediate appears between the starting materials and the end product.
Pharmaceutical companies often buy chemical intermediates from specialised manufacturers rather than making them from scratch.
- reaction intermediate
More specific; emphasises that the compound is created and consumed within a single reaction sequence.
- precursor
A compound that comes before the final product but is not necessarily created during the reaction itself.
文法句型
intermediate + in + noun phrase
intermediate + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
A technical term in chemistry and biochemistry. In industrial chemistry, intermediates are often commercially valuable compounds themselves, sold to other manufacturers for further processing.
常見錯誤
intermediate — verb
- intermediatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- intermediates3rd person singular
- intermediating-ing form
- intermediatedpast simple
1. to step into a disagreement or difference of opinion between two people or group
to step into a disagreement or difference of opinion between two people or groups in order to help them find a solution
A professional mediator was called in to intermediate between the union and the employer.
intermediate + between + [party] + and + [party]
Kian tried to intermediate when two team members could not agree on the project deadline.
The older villagers often intermediate in family disputes before they reach the local court.
Abigail asked her supervisor to intermediate between her and a colleague at the budget meeting.
- ignore
To deliberately pay no attention to a conflict rather than stepping in.
文法句型
intermediate + between + noun phrase + and + noun phrase
用法筆記
Formal and less common than 'mediate' in everyday English. The pattern 'intermediate between X and Y' is the most frequent syntactic frame. Almost always intransitive — the direct object is not the dispute itself but the parties.
常見錯誤
2. to act as a messenger or link between people or groups who find it difficult to
to act as a messenger or link between people or groups who find it difficult to communicate directly, passing information in both directions
The aid worker had to intermediate between the refugees and the government agencies providing supplies.
intermediate + between + [group A] + and + [group B]
Stefan spent months intermediating between the research team and the local farming community.
progressive aspect: spent + [time] + intermediating
A diplomatic officer was assigned to intermediate between the two embassies during the sensitive negotiations.
Yael's firm specialises in intermediating between tech startups and potential investors in Southeast Asia.
- liaise
Much more common in modern English, especially British English; 'liaise between departments' is standard.
- act as a go-between
An idiomatic phrase that covers the same meaning in everyday language.
文法句型
intermediate + between + noun phrase + and + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1 (INTERVENE): this sense emphasises relaying information rather than stepping in to resolve a disagreement. The person acts as a channel of communication, not a problem-solver. Rare in modern English — 'liaise' (British) or 'act as a go-between' are far more common.