noun
middleman
MIHD-man
Middleman (noun) means a person or business that acts as an intermediary between two parties, especially in trade. Example: “Buying direct from the farm cuts out the middleman.”
noun
1
A person or business that acts as an intermediary between two parties, especially in trade.
"Buying direct from the farm cuts out the middleman."
"The broker acts as a middleman between buyers and sellers."
How to use middleman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone who connects a buyer and seller (or two other parties) rather than dealing with them directly.
Common pairings
cut out the middleman
act as a middleman
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Word forms
- Plural
- middlemen
- Third person singular
- middlemans
- Past tense
- middlemanned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Buying direct from the farm cuts out the _____.
Etymology
A straightforward compound of "middle" and "man," describing someone who stands between two parties in a transaction.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for middleman
See all rhymes for middleman →Frequently asked questions
What does “middleman” mean?
The word “middleman” means a person or business that acts as an intermediary between two parties, especially in trade. In plain terms, someone who connects a buyer and seller (or two other parties) rather than dealing with them directly.
How do you pronounce “middleman”?
“Middleman” is pronounced MIHD-man ([ˈmɪdɫ̩ˌmæn] in IPA).
How do you use “middleman” in a sentence?
Here is “middleman” used in a sentence: “Buying direct from the farm cuts out the middleman.”
What is another word for “middleman”?
Words with a similar meaning to “middleman” include intermediary, go-between and mediator.
What part of speech is “middleman”?
“Middleman” is a noun.
