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middleman
/ˈmɪdəlmæn/
person who facilitates trade
The company decided to cut out the middleman and sell directly to consumers online.
The business removed the intermediary to reduce costs and sell straight to buyers.
Business
formal
A person or organization that acts as an intermediary between a buyer and a seller, often adding a markup to the price.
Importers often act as middlemen, buying goods in bulk and selling them to local retailers.
Importers serve as intermediaries, purchasing large quantities of goods to resell to smaller shops.
Often used in contexts discussing supply chains, distribution, or direct-to-consumer models.
Law
neutral
An agent who negotiates or mediates between two parties in a transaction or dispute.
The real estate agent served as the middleman between the homeowners and the buyers.
The agent facilitated the agreement between the sellers and the purchasers.
Can imply neutrality or simply a facilitative role.
Collocations
cut out the middlemaneliminate the intermediary to save money or timemiddleman markupthe profit added by the intermediary
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Business Context
Use 'middleman' when discussing supply chains or sales models. If you want a more formal tone in academic or legal writing, use 'intermediary' or 'broker'.
Gold Rule
Countable Noun
Always use an article (a/the) or possessive (my/his) before 'middleman'. Example: 'He is a middleman,' not 'He is middleman.'
Word Origin
From Middle English 'middel' (middle) + 'man'. Originally referred to anyone standing between two parties, later specialized in commerce.
Usage Notes
While 'intermediary' is more formal, 'middleman' is common in business and everyday speech. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation, implying unnecessary cost or obstruction, especially in the phrase 'cut out the middleman'.
Word Breakdown
middle
the position between two points
rootman
person
rootEnglish Dictionary