secret agent

noun

1. an agent of a secret service.
2. (loosely) a person employed to collect the military secrets of one country and relay them to another, especially a person living in a foreign country while so working for their own nation; spy.

secret agent

noun

1. a person employed in espionage

Word History and Origins

Origin of secret agent¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

As John Black, across more than 4,200 episodes, Hogestyn was a spy, mercenary, police officer, private investigator and secret agent.

From Los Angeles Times

“Driving that would spoil the whole secret part of ‘secret agent.’

From Literature

They do not know that in reality I am a secret agent named Wainscotting.

From Literature

“It would be cooler if she was a secret agent,” Zayd says, before continuing to narrate.

From Literature

"You are my secret agent. With love," the contact said on 23 March after requesting information about a certain country.

From BBC

Related Words

• informer
• intelligence agent
• operative
• spy
• undercover agent