intermediate

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   At a middle level of skill or knowledge, between basic and advanced.

   Grammar: Used before nouns like 'level', 'class', 'student': an intermediate English course.

   Patterns

   • intermediate level
   • intermediate students
   • intermediate course

   She is taking an intermediate Spanish class this semester.

   This textbook is for intermediate learners, not beginners.

   After two years of study, he reached an intermediate level in piano.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Coming between two stages, points, or things in a process or series.

   Grammar: Often used for steps in a process: an intermediate stage.

   Patterns

   • intermediate stage
   • intermediate step
   • intermediate position

   The project is at an intermediate stage; we still have a lot to do.

   There is an intermediate step between mixing and baking.

   The car stopped at an intermediate station before the final stop.

3. 3nouncountable

   A person who is at a middle level of skill, especially in a sport or activity.

   Grammar: Used for people: The class is for intermediates.

   Patterns

   • a class for intermediates
   • advanced and intermediate

   The tennis club offers lessons for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players.

   As an intermediate, she found the advanced yoga class too difficult.

Word forms

Common combinations

intermediate level

He passed the intermediate level exam.

intermediate stage

The disease has an intermediate stage with mild symptoms.

intermediate step

There is an intermediate step you must complete first.

upper intermediate

She moved from intermediate to upper intermediate English.

Synonyms and how they differ

middle

Middle means in the center of something; intermediate often suggests a stage between two levels, especially in learning.

mid-level

Mid-level is used for jobs or positions; intermediate is more common for skills and education.

transitional

Transitional means relating to a change from one state to another; intermediate simply means in between.

Opposites

Word family

intermediately adverb

In an intermediate way (rare).

intermediation noun

The act of mediating between parties (formal).

Commonly confused: intermediate or intermediary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “intermediate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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