Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

middleman

[ˈmɪdɫ̩ˌmæn]

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.86 in modern English

Syllables: mid-dle-man
IPA: [ˈmɪdɫ̩ˌmæn]

15

Scrabble Score

9

Letters

3

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

An intermediary, agent between two (or more) parties.

noun

An intermediate dealer between the manufacturer and the retailer or customer.

noun

One who rents land in large tracts, and lets it in small portions to the peasantry.

verb

To act as a middleman or intermediary.

Example Sentences

"act as a middleman"
"cut out the middleman"
"financial middleman"
"The farmer sold his produce directly to stores without a middleman."
"Online platforms often eliminate the need for a middleman."

Etymology

From Middle English myddil man, equivalent to middle + man.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Inflected Forms

middlemen (plural) middle man (alternative) middle-man (alternative) middlemans (present, singular) middlemanning (participle, present) middlemanned (participle, past) middlemanned (past)

Derived Forms

middlemanism middlemanship

Phrases

cut out the middleman

Frequently Paired Words

middlewoman

Synonyms

intermediary go-between mediator grocer

Questions

How do you pronounce middleman?: The recorded pronunciation is [ˈmɪdɫ̩ˌmæn].
What does middleman mean?: An intermediary, agent between two (or more) parties.
Where does middleman come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce middleman

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “middleman”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling ([ˈmɪdɫ̩ˌmæn]) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “middleman”.
Repeat and practice — Say “middleman” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.