agent

American  

[ey-juhnt] / ˈeɪ dʒənt /

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.

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adjective

1. acting; exerting power (opposed to 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 British  

/ 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

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agent Scientific  

/ ā′jənt /

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

2. Compare reagent

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Other Word Forms

• agential adjective
• counteragent noun
• interagent noun
• superagent noun
• underagent noun

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.

Example Sentences

Keith W. Davis, an insurance agent, is the American Independent Party candidate.

From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026

A Lufthansa agent had offered to walk Talankin to the gate and keep hold of his statuette during the flight, but this plan was vetoed by a TSA official, according to Deadline.

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

Then she followed a federal officer driving an unmarked vehicle to see where the agent was headed next.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

The voice is young, female, brisk and business-like and belongs to an AI agent.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

The agent sits on the platform, gripping his ankle.

From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin

Related Words

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