agent
Americannoun
-
a person or business authorized to act on another's behalf.
Our agent in Hong Kong will ship the merchandise.
A best-selling author needs a good agent.
- Synonyms:
- deputy, representative
-
a person or thing that acts or has the power to act.
-
a natural force or object producing or used for obtaining specific results.
Many insects are agents of fertilization.
- Synonyms:
- means
-
an active cause; an efficient cause.
-
a person who works for or manages an agency.
-
a person who acts in an official capacity for a government or private agency as a guard, detective, or spy.
an FBI agent;
the secret agents of a foreign power.
-
a person responsible for a particular action.
Who was the agent of this deed?
-
Grammar. a form or construction, usually a noun or noun phrase, denoting an animate being that performs or causes the action expressed by the verb, as the police in The car was found by the police.
-
a representative of a business firm, especially a traveling salesperson; canvasser; solicitor.
-
Chemistry. a substance that causes a reaction.
-
Pharmacology. a drug or chemical capable of eliciting a biological response.
-
Pathology. any microorganism capable of causing disease.
-
British. a campaign manager; an election agent.
adjective
verb (used with object)
noun
-
a person who acts on behalf of another person, group, business, government, etc; representative
-
a person or thing that acts or has the power to act
-
a phenomenon, substance, or organism that exerts some force or effect
a chemical agent
-
the means by which something occurs or is achieved; instrument
wind is an agent of plant pollination
-
a person representing a business concern, esp a travelling salesman
-
short for estate agent
-
short for secret agent
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of agent
First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin agent-, stem of agēns “doing,” present participle of agere “to do, drive”
Explanation
When you're buying a house or negotiating your break-out movie contract, it's a good idea to hire an agent to represent you — someone who can keep a cool head and get the best deal for you. The suave 007 may be your dream secret agent, but you could find real ones in the CIA, the FBI, and other government organizations populated with agents. Beware the double agent, the spy you think is working for you when he's really working for your enemy. An inanimate object can also be an agent. A chemical agent, like vinegar mixed with salt, can make copper pennies shine. Chemical weapons contain more sinister agents that wreak havoc on their victims.
Vocabulary lists containing agent
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from all 4 Acts
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Crucible" -- Vocabulary from Act 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Academy Awards, List 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
According to Sunil, before boarding Skylight, he was told by a recruiting agent in India that the ship was insured.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
This would’ve been a good solution had they been able to get the neutralizing agent in the tank.
From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026
He claimed the responsibility lay with another agent based in Dubai.
From BBC • May 23, 2026
Without the programmer’s knowledge, his AI agent was filing one bogus error report after another.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026
“And you call yourself an agent? Please be straightforward and get to the point, Mr. Jarvis. Do you have any information that hasn’t yet been considered? Something worthy of making me late for work?”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
