broker
B1Neutral (common in business/finance, also used in general contexts).
Definition
Meaning
A person or company that acts as an intermediary between a buyer and seller, or an agent who facilitates transactions, often in finance, real estate, or insurance.
In broader contexts, any intermediary that negotiates, arranges, or mediates deals or agreements between parties. Can also refer to software (e.g., message broker) or systems that facilitate communication between different components.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; can be used as a verb. Implies professional agency and commission-based compensation. Does not imply ownership of goods.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Stockbroker' is common in both. In the US, 'realtor' is a specific term for a real estate broker. The verb form ('to broker a deal') is slightly more frequent in American business journalism.
Connotations
Neutral to professional in both varieties. No significant difference.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to larger financial services sector mentions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
broker + N (broker a deal/agreement/truce)broker + between + N (broker between the parties)N + through + a broker (buy a house through a broker)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “power broker (a person who exerts influence behind the scenes)”
- “honest broker (a neutral mediator)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Professional who executes buy/sell orders for a commission.
Academic
Used in economics, political science (e.g., policy broker), and sociology.
Everyday
Commonly understood in contexts of buying houses, stocks, or insurance.
Technical
In IT: message broker, service broker; in law: broker of record.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The diplomat brokered a fragile ceasefire.
- They hired a consultant to broker the merger talks.
American English
- The senator brokered a last-minute compromise on the bill.
- We need someone to broker between the union and management.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- She works for a broker firm in the City.
- The broker charge was clearly stated in the contract.
American English
- He holds a broker license in three states.
- We discussed broker fees upfront.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I spoke to a broker about car insurance.
- My uncle is a broker.
- We found our flat through a housing broker.
- The broker helped us get a good mortgage rate.
- As an independent broker, she negotiates contracts between artists and galleries.
- The UN attempted to broker a peace agreement.
- The incumbent's downfall was orchestrated by a powerful political broker within the party.
- The software uses a message broker to decouple services in the architecture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of someone who 'breaks' a deal into parts for buyer and seller, facilitating the 'broken' path between them.
Conceptual Metaphor
BROKER IS A BRIDGE / CONDUIT / CATALYST.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'брокер' for all contexts – 'маклер' (less common now), 'посредник' (general intermediary) may be more natural in non-financial contexts.
- Do not confuse with 'брокер' (correct for finance) and 'риелтор' (specifically for real estate).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'broker' as a synonym for 'seller' (brokers don't own the asset).
- Incorrect verb pattern: 'He brokered them a deal' (better: 'He brokered a deal for them' or 'He brokered a deal between them').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'broker' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A broker acts as an agent for a client, facilitating transactions for a commission. A dealer buys and sells on their own account, acting as a principal.
Yes. It's commonly used in diplomacy ('broker a peace deal'), real estate, insurance, and technology (e.g., 'message broker').
It is standard in business and political writing, but not overly formal. It's a precise term for 'arrange or negotiate'.
A person who influences decisions and controls situations, especially in politics or business, often from behind the scenes.
Explore