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Definition of middleman

middleman

/ˈmɪd.əl.mæn/
mid · dle · man
Plural:middlemen
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middleman Lexical Profile

middleman Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A trader, merchant, or commercial agent who buys goods from producers and sells them to retailers or consumers.

Example

"By purchasing produce directly from local farmers, the restaurant was able to cut out the middleman and reduce its costs."

2

A person or organization that acts as an intermediary or negotiator between two parties, especially when direct communication is difficult.

Example

"A neutral diplomat served as a middleman during the sensitive negotiations between the two rival factions."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for middleman

• Nearby Words

middle
middlebrow
middlegame
middleman
middleweight
middling
middy

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in English during the late 18th century as a compound of "middle" (from Old English "middel") and "man" (from Old English "mann"), originally used in reference to intermediaries who leased large tracts of Irish land to sublet to smaller tenants.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Middleman. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/middleman
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