How to pronounce intermediate
Say it like in-ter-MEE-dee-it. Intermediate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEE).
- in
- ter
- MEE
- dee
- it
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Intermediate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- MEESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- deeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- itKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of intermediate
- American English uses 5 syllables and British English 4.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: in-tuh-MEE-deert.
What does intermediate mean?
- lying between two extremes in time or space or state“going from sitting to standing without intermediate pushes with the hands”“intermediate stages in a process”
- around the middle of a scale of evaluation“an orange of average size”“intermediate capacity”
- a substance formed during a chemical process before the desired product is obtained
- act between parties with a view to reconciling differences“He interceded in the family dispute”“He mediated a settlement”
Where does intermediate come from?
Borrowed from Medieval Latin intermediātus, perfect passive participle of intermediō (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), further from intermedius (“intermediate”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying intermediate
How do you pronounce intermediate?
Say in-ter-MEE-dee-it. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪntɚˈmidiɪt/. In British English it is /ˌɪntəˈmiːdɪət/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in intermediate?
Intermediate has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MEE). Broken into parts: in · ter · MEE · dee · it.
Is intermediate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 5 syllables and British English 4. The British form is /ˌɪntəˈmiːdɪət/ (in-tuh-MEE-deert).