agent

[ ey-juhnt ]

noun

1. 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

2. a person or thing that acts or has the power to act.
3. a natural force or object producing or used for obtaining specific results:

   Many insects are agents of fertilization.

   Synonyms: means

4. an active cause; an efficient cause.
5. a person who works for or manages an agency.
6. 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.

7. a person responsible for a particular action:

   Who was the agent of this deed?

8. 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.
9. Indian agent.
10. a representative of a business firm, especially a traveling salesperson; canvasser; solicitor.
11. Chemistry. a substance that causes a reaction.
12. Pharmacology. a drug or chemical capable of eliciting a biological response.
13. Pathology. any microorganism capable of causing disease.
14. British. a campaign manager; an election agent.

adjective

1. acting; exerting power ( patient ).

verb (used with object)

1. to represent (a person or thing) as an agent; act as an agent for: Who agented that deal?

   to agent a manuscript;

   Who agented that deal?

agent

/ ˈeɪdʒənt; eɪˈdʒɛnʃəl /

noun

1. a person who acts on behalf of another person, group, business, government, etc; representative
2. a person or thing that acts or has the power to act
3. a phenomenon, substance, or organism that exerts some force or effect

   a chemical agent

4. the means by which something occurs or is achieved; instrument

   wind is an agent of plant pollination

5. a person representing a business concern, esp a travelling salesman
6. short for estate agent
7. short for secret agent

agent

/ ā′jənt /

1. A substance that can bring about a chemical reaction or a biological effect.
2. Compare reagent

Derived Forms

• agential, adjective

Other Words From

• counter·agent noun
• inter·agent noun
• super·agent noun
• under·agent noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of agent¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin agent-, stem of agēns “doing,” present participle of agere “to do, drive”

Word History and Origins

Origin of agent¹

C15: from Latin agent-, noun use of the present participle of agere to do

Example Sentences

"Our main concern now is the fate of existing leaseholders who are currently suffering at the mercy of unregulated managing agents and unscrupulous freeholders," she said.

From BBC

He was also a binding agent, skilled at holding the party and its sometimes warring factions together.

From BBC

“He prioritizes quality family time and being fully present even when he has those long days at the facility,” said Veronika, a real estate agent.

From Los Angeles Times

Since leaving the struggling Giants as a free agent, “it’s not all on his shoulders,” Curl said.

From Los Angeles Times

In an election seen as a referendum on the city’s post-pandemic struggles with homelessness and street crime, Lurie pitched himself as a change agent who could lead San Francisco into an era of recovery.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assistant
• broker
• commissioner
• deputy
• handler
• lawyer
• minister
• officer
• operative
• operator
• promoter
• representative
• worker