third-party
/ˌθɜːd ˈpɑːti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌθɜːrd ˈpɑːrti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌθɜːdˈpɑː.ti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθɝːdˌpɑːr.t̬i/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthərd-ˈpär-tē/ (ame, mw)
third-party — noun
1. an individual or organization that has a connection to a matter but is not one o
an individual or organization that has a connection to a matter but is not one of the principal participants in it.
The contract was signed in the presence of a neutral third-party witness.
collocation: neutral third-party witness
A third-party audit of the company's accounts found several serious errors.
collocation: third-party audit
Our car insurance covers damage to any third-party property in an accident.
Kwame hired an independent third-party to check the safety of the building.
When buying a used car, Nora always asks a third-party mechanic to inspect it first.
- outsider
less formal; can imply the person does not belong to the group at all
- intermediary
focuses on the role of passing information or goods between the two main parties
- neutral party
emphasises that the person or organization does not take sides
用法筆記
As a noun, the open spelling 'third party' (without a hyphen) is also very common in both British and American English. The hyphenated form 'third-party' is more typical when used as an adjective before a noun.
常見錯誤
third-party — adjective
1. coming from or associated with an individual or organization that is not a main
coming from or associated with an individual or organization that is not a main party in an agreement, transaction, or dispute.
The bank requires a third-party guarantee before it will approve the loan.
collocation: third-party guarantee
Mei-Lin's company uses a third-party delivery service for all international orders.
Some third-party apps on your phone can access your private messages.
A third-party review of the product found several safety problems.
The website uses third-party cookies to show users personalised advertisements.
- external
broader in meaning; can refer to anything from outside an organization, not just to parties in an agreement
- independent
focuses on lack of bias or control by the main parties, but does not always suggest a third person
- outside
less formal and more general; can apply to any person or thing coming from beyond an organisation
文法句型
third-party + noun (always before a noun)
用法筆記
This sense is always used before a noun (attributive position). Unlike most adjectives, it cannot follow a linking verb — you cannot say 'The guarantee was third-party.'
常見錯誤
2. associated with a political group that is not among the two dominant parties in
associated with a political group that is not among the two dominant parties in a system where power normally alternates between those two leading parties.
The third-party candidate managed to win fifteen percent of the vote in the election.
collocation: third-party candidate
Third-party voters in the United States often feel that the system ignores them.
The debate organisers refused to include any third-party representatives in the televised discussion.
A strong third-party challenge can change the outcome of a very close election.
Throughout history, third-party movements have pushed major parties to adopt new ideas.
- minor-party
more neutral; does not assume a two-party system exists
- fringe-party
more negative; describes a very small party with little influence
- alternative-party
focuses on offering voters a choice outside the mainstream
- mainstream-party
refers to one of the established major parties
- two-party
describes a system dominated by two major parties
文法句型
third-party + noun (political context)
用法筆記
Used mainly in the context of American politics, where the two major parties are Democratic and Republican. In parliamentary systems with more than two major parties, this term is less relevant.