5 syllables: In, ter, me, di, ate. Stress on me.
in-tur-MEE-dee-it
/ˌɪntɚˈmidiɪt/
Intermediate is pronounced in-tur-MEE-dee-it (/ˌɪntɚˈmidiɪt/). It has five syllables (In-ter-me-di-ate), with the stress on "me". Intermediate is an adjective describing a middle stage or level between beginner and advanced, or something that is not elementary but not yet advanced. It often refers to skills, courses, or stages that assume some prior knowledge yet remain approachable, offering more challenge than beginner material without reaching expert proficiency. The term implies gradual progression and a balance of foundational understanding with increased complexity.
adjectiveIntermediate is an adjective describing a middle stage or level between beginner and advanced, or something that is not elementary but not yet advanced. It often refers to skills, courses, or stages that assume some prior knowledge yet remain approachable, offering more challenge than beginner material without reaching expert proficiency. The term implies gradual progression and a balance of foundational understanding with increased complexity.
"She enrolled in an intermediate Spanish course to build on her basics."
"The workshop is designed for an intermediate audience, not absolute beginners."
"In the fitness program, the intermediate level introduces more complex movements."
Pronounce it as /ˌɪn.tɚˈmi.di.ət/ (US) with stress on the third syllable: in-ter-MID-ee-ate. In full IPA: /ˌɪn.tɚˈmi.di.ət/. The first syllable is a reduced, unstressed 'in' and the second syllable leans toward a schwa-rhotic blend, then the prominent stress on 'mid,' followed by a light 'ee' and ending with a soft 'ət'.
Common errors: 1) Under-stressing the 'mid' syllable, producing in-ter-MID-ee-ate? or IN-ter-MEE-dee-ate. Ensure the primary stress is on the 'mid' syllable: in-ter-MID-nee-ate. 2) Merging the final -ate into a quick 'ate' sounding like 'eight' or 'ait'; instead, pronounce a soft schwa + t: -i-ət. 3) Not fully articulating the medial /d/ before the -i- vowel; keep a clean /d/ transition: mid-i-ate.
US tends to rhotify: 'in-ter-MID-ee-ət' with a rhotic 'r' in the second syllable spelled as /ɚ/. UK often reduces vowels slightly, with less rhotic influence, producing /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ət/ and a longer second syllable vowel. Australian tends to have a broader, more relaxed /ɪ/ and a prominent /ˈmiː/ in some speakers, with a non-rhotic tendency similar to UK. All maintain primary stress on the third syllable.
It stacks several challenges: a multi-syllabic word with two unstressed segments and a strong mid-stress: /ˌɪn.tɚˈmi.di.ət/ requires accurate schwa handling in /tɚ/ and the transition from /mi/ to /di/. The unstressed initial 'in' followed by a rhotic schwa in /tɚ/ and the trailing 'ət' can blur if you rush. Practice segmenting and steady-stress to avoid flapping and consonant reduction.
There is no silent letter in standard pronunciations; the complexity comes from the stress pattern and vowel reductions: the word has 4 syllables with primary stress on the third (in-ter-MID-i-ate). No silent letters in typical American/British usage. The challenge is maintaining clear /d/ and the final /ət/ instead of a full /eɪt/ vowel.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "Intermediate"!
US: rhotacized schwa in /ɚ/ after the 'n' cluster; keep final /ət/ light. UK: non-rhotic, so /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ət/ with a longer /iː/ in the second syllable and a lighter final /ət/. AU: similar to UK but with a slightly wider vowel space; /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ət/ or /ˌɪn.təˈmid.i.ət/ depending on speaker; emphasize non-rhoticity and pronounced /ˈmiː/ in some dialects. IPA references: US /ˌɪn.tɚˈmi.di.ət/, UK /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ət/, AU /ˌɪn.təˈmiː.di.ət/.
The word intermediate comes from Latin intermedius, formed from inter- ‘between’ and medius ‘middle.’ In English it entered via Old French and Middle English usage, originally describing something ‘in the middle’ or ‘between stages.’ Over time, the term broadened to denote a level of skill or process that is between beginner and advanced, as well as middle points in sequences or timelines. The first known uses in English trace to scholastic and educational contexts where learners progress through stages, and by the 18th–19th centuries it had become a standard descriptor in curricula, performance, and classification. The semantic shift from merely “in the middle” to “not beginner but not expert” reflects a general tendency in education to categorize competency into tiers. Today, intermediate is ubiquitous in education, music, sports, and professional training, signaling a relative, not absolute, degree of mastery and indicating the need for continued practice to reach the next level.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Intermediate" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Intermediate" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Intermediate" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "Intermediate"
-ive sounds
-ert sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
