broker

The word “broker” means a person or firm that arranges deals between a buyer and a seller, often for a fee. In plain terms, someone (or something) that arranges a deal between two other parties, or the act of arranging that deal.

“Broker” is pronounced BROH-kuh (/ˈbɹoʊkɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “broker” used in a sentence: “Our mortgage broker found us a better interest rate.”

Depending on how it is used, “broker” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “broker” comes from Middle English. From Middle English brocour, ultimately traced to an Old Dutch word for someone who determines trade customs — related to "brook" in its old sense of "to use" or "profit by.".

“Broker” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Broker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person or firm that arranges deals between a buyer and a seller, often for a fee.

A broker independently arranges deals between buyers and sellers and can often represent either side, usually for a fee or commission. An agent typically acts on behalf of one party or works under a broker, so brokers generally hold broader authority and responsibility.

A broker arranges transactions between other parties without owning the goods or assets involved, earning a fee for making the match. A dealer buys and sells for their own account, taking ownership and profiting from the price difference rather than from a commission.

A broker is a type of middleman, but the term specifically implies arranging deals professionally, often for a regulated fee or commission, as with a stockbroker or insurance broker. Middleman is a more general, informal word for anyone who comes between two parties in a transaction.