C1 adjective Formal

broker

/ˈbroʊ.kər/

Relating to or acting as an intermediary to negotiate and arrange agreements, deals, or settlements between parties. In academic and political contexts, it describes a facilitative role where one entity connects distinct groups to enable exchange or resolution.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The broker firm managed the entire merger process between the two tech giants.

The agency acting as a middleman handled the combining of the two large companies.

2

Officials are hoping for a brokered peace in the coming months after years of conflict.

Authorities hope for a negotiated peace agreement facilitated by an external party.

3

He took on a broker role within the group to help his friends settle their petty dispute.

He acted as a mediator for the group to help his friends resolve their small argument.

Word Family

Noun
broker
Verb
broker
Adjective
brokered
Related
brokerage
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a broker as someone who 'breaks' the tension between two sides so they can finally shake hands on a deal.

Quick Quiz

The United Nations celebrated the _____ peace treaty as a significant triumph for international diplomacy.

Correct!

The correct answer is: brokered

Examples

1

The broker firm managed the entire merger process between the two tech giants.

everyday

The agency acting as a middleman handled the combining of the two large companies.

2

Officials are hoping for a brokered peace in the coming months after years of conflict.

formal

Authorities hope for a negotiated peace agreement facilitated by an external party.

3

He took on a broker role within the group to help his friends settle their petty dispute.

informal

He acted as a mediator for the group to help his friends resolve their small argument.

4

The academic paper discusses the influence of broker nations in regional trade networks.

academic

The scholarly article examines how intermediary countries affect local business connections.

5

We must verify the broker credentials before signing the service contract.

business

We need to check the intermediary's professional qualifications before signing the agreement.

Word Family

Noun
broker
Verb
broker
Adjective
brokered
Related
brokerage

Common Collocations

broker a deal to successfully negotiate a business agreement
power broker a person who influences political or economic decisions
broker an agreement to facilitate a formal arrangement between parties
broker services professional services provided by a middleman
insurance broker an agent who negotiates insurance policies for clients

Common Phrases

to broker a peace

to negotiate an end to a war or conflict

honest broker

an impartial mediator who is trusted by all sides

stock broker

a professional who handles the buying and selling of shares

Often Confused With

broker vs brokerage

Broker refers to the individual or the act of mediating, while brokerage refers to the firm or the commission fee.

broker vs breaker

Broker is an intermediary negotiator; a breaker is someone who smashes things or a heavy sea wave.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'broker' is most commonly a noun or verb, it is used as an adjective (attributive noun) to describe roles, firms, or agreements that involve mediation. In high-level academic or political English, it specifically implies a strategic, often neutral, facilitation of complex interests.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often limit 'broker' to financial contexts like the stock market, but at the C1 level, it should be used to describe political mediation and the arrangement of diplomatic treaties.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a broker as someone who 'breaks' the tension between two sides so they can finally shake hands on a deal.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Old French 'brokier', which originally meant to 'broach' or tap a wine cask to sell wine, eventually evolving to mean any retail vendor or intermediary.

Grammar Patterns

Commonly used as an attributive noun (modifying another noun directly) Frequently appears as the past participle 'brokered' when used as a true adjective Does not take comparative or superlative forms
🌍

Cultural Context

In Western diplomacy, being an 'honest broker' is a highly prestigious role, as it signifies a nation's or individual's ultimate neutrality and global trust.

Quick Quiz

The United Nations celebrated the _____ peace treaty as a significant triumph for international diplomacy.

Correct!

The correct answer is: brokered

Related Words

blacklist

B2

To put a person, organization, or country on a list of those who are considered unacceptable and should be avoided or excluded from certain activities or privileges. It is often used to describe the denial of employment, trade, or participation based on previous behavior or reputation.

blackmailer

B2

A person who demands money, favors, or specific actions from someone by threatening to reveal damaging secrets or private information about them. It refers to an individual who practices extortion through psychological or reputational leverage.

blackout

B2

A blackout refers to a temporary loss of electrical power over an area or a sudden failure of memory or consciousness in an individual. It can also describe a period of censorship where information or news is intentionally suppressed by an authority.

blackthorn

B2

A thorny deciduous shrub or small tree of the rose family, native to Europe and western Asia, which produces white flowers in early spring and small, bitter, dark blue fruits known as sloes. It is frequently used for creating dense, prickly hedges and is well-known for providing the wood used in traditional Irish walking sticks.

bladder

B2

To swell, puff out, or expand like a balloon, often used in technical contexts to describe membranes filling with air or liquid. Informally, it can also refer to talking at length without much substance or meaning.

blame

B2

To consider or state that someone or something is responsible for a mistake, failure, or negative situation. It involves attributing the cause of a problem to a specific person, group, or factor.

blameless

B2

Describes someone who has done nothing wrong and cannot be held responsible for a bad situation or mistake. It is often used to emphasize a person's innocence or their morally upright character.

blameworthy

B2

Deserving of blame, criticism, or censure because of wrong or negligent behavior. It is often used to describe actions or individuals that are morally or legally responsible for a negative outcome.

blandness

B2

Blandness refers to the quality of being uninteresting, dull, or lacking in strong features and characteristics. In a culinary context, it describes food that lacks flavor or seasoning, while in a general context, it describes things that are mediocre or devoid of personality.

blank

B2

Describes a surface that has no writing, images, or marks on it, or a state of mind where one cannot remember or think of anything. It is frequently used to describe paper, screens, or facial expressions that lack emotion or understanding.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free