noun

arbiter

AH-bih-tuh

noun

Someone chosen by two sides to settle a dispute between them.

"The two companies agreed to let an independent arbiter decide the contract dispute."

"She acted as arbiter between the feuding neighbours."

Someone or something with the power to judge or decide, without needing anyone else's approval.

"Critics are often seen as the arbiters of good taste."

How to Use Arbiter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person or thing with the authority to settle a disagreement or make the final call.

Common mistake

"Arbiter" and "arbitrator" overlap, but "arbitrator" is the more specific, formal term for someone conducting legal arbitration.

Easily confused with

arbitrator

Common pairings

final arbiter sole arbiter arbiter of taste

arbitered past tense, arbiters plural, arbiters singular

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Can you complete this real example?

The two companies agreed to let an independent _____ decide the contract dispute.

From Latin arbiter, "a witness or judge" — literally "one who goes to see".

biter writer waiter loiter Jupiter orbiter Lassiter typewriter songwriter screenwriter scriptwriter counterfeiter