Agent — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈā-jənt/

Meaning & Definition of Agent

Agent (noun)

  1. one that acts or exerts power
  2. something that produces or is capable of producing an effect, an active or efficient cause
  3. a chemically, physically, or biologically active principle

Agent (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something used to achieve an end

    "the whitening agent in the detergent is chlorine bleach"

    "the Church has been the traditional agent for social justice in impoverished countries"

    similar: agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle
    related: determinant, expedient, factor, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool, weapon, activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger, antecedent, cause, occasion, reason, subagency, subagent

  2. a person who acts or does business for another

    "the sports agent negotiated a record-breaking contract for the baseball player"

    similar: assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, factor, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative
    related: ambassador, diplomat, diplomatist, emissary, foreign minister, legate, plenipotentiary, alternate, backup, pinch hitter, relief, replacement, stand-in, sub, substitute, surrogate, understudy, informer, operative, spy, broker, distributor, manager, arbiter, arbitrator, comprador, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary, interposer, liaison, mediator, middleman, peacemaker, mouthpiece, point man, point person, prophet, speaker, spokesman, spokesperson

  3. a person sent on a mission to represent another

    "an undercover agent of the Crown"

    similar: ambassador, delegate, emissary, envoy, legate, minister, representative
    related: ambassadress, attaché, chargé d'affaires, consul, deputy, diplomat, foreign minister, nuncio, procurator, proxy, apostle, evangelist, missionary, deputation, detachment, legation, courier, messenger, mouthpiece, spokesperson

  4. a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country

    "an agent feeding information about enemy troop movements"

    similar: asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, secret agent, undercover agent
    related: courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy

Related Entry: Agent provocateur (noun)

Agent provocateur is a different word from Agent. The synonyms below are for agent provocateur, not for agent.

  1. as in fomenter, revolter

    similar: alarmist, extremist, insurgent, insurrectionist, radical, rebel, revolter, revolutionary, revolutionist, subversive, troublemaker, advocate, apostle, backer, booster, champion, exponent, persuader, promoter, proponent, reformer, reformist, supporter, agitator, demagogue, exciter, firebrand, fomenter, incendiary, inciter, instigator, kindler, provocateur, rabble-rouser, demonstrator, marcher, objector, picketer, protester, prodder, prompter, provoker
    opposite: peacemaker, reconciler, uniter

Related Entry: Secret agent (noun)

Secret agent is a different word from Agent. The synonyms below are for secret agent, not for agent.

  1. a person who tries secretly to obtain information for one country in the territory of another usually unfriendly country

    "a secret agent posing as a government employee"

    similar: agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover
    related: courier, counterspy, double agent, sleeper, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, spymaster, superspy

Related Entry: Double agent (noun)

Double agent is a different word from Agent. The synonyms below are for double agent, not for agent.

  1. as in sleeper, counterspy

    similar: counterspy, sleeper, courier, infiltrator, informer, stool pigeon, agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, spymaster, superspy

Related Entry: Ticket agent (noun)

Ticket agent is a different word from Agent. The synonyms below are for ticket agent, not for agent.

  1. as in conductor

    similar: conductor, attendant, guard, guide, tour guide, captain, chauffeur, driver, engineer, operator, pilot, skipper

Related Entry: Undercover agent (noun)

Undercover agent is a different word from Agent. The synonyms below are for undercover agent, not for agent.

  1. as in secret agent

    similar: secret agent, agent, asset, emissary, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Agent

The most common words with a similar meaning to Agent:

agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle, assignee, attorney, commissary, delegate, deputy, envoy, factor, minister, procurator, proxy, rep, representative, ambassador, emissary, legate, asset, intelligencer, mole, operative, spook, spy, undercover, secret agent, undercover agent

Related Words for Agent

determinant, expedient, influence, ingredient, mechanism, tool, weapon, activator, animator, catalyst, driver, energizer, executor, generator, impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, instigator, launcher, mover, power, stimulus, trigger, antecedent, cause, occasion, reason, subagency, subagent

Word Forms of Agent

Inflections: agents

Derived words: agentive (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Agent

Middle English, "force capable of acting on matter," borrowed from Medieval Latin agent-, agens "something capable of producing an effect, person authorized to act for another," going back to Latin, present participle of agere "to drive (cattle), ride (a horse), be in motion, do, perform, transact," going back to Indo-European *h2eǵ- "drive," whence Sanskrit ajati "(s/he) drives," Greek ágein "to lead, carry off," Armenian acem "(I) lead," Old Irish ad-aig "drives, impels," Old Norse aka "to travel in a vehicle"

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Agent

Words & Phrases Containing Agent

agent-general, Agent Orange, agent provocateur, alkylating agent, county agent, delta agent, double agent, estate agent, extension agent

Frequently Asked Questions about Agent

What does "Agent" mean?

"Agent" means one that acts or exerts power. As a noun, it is defined as: one that acts or exerts power. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Agent"?

Other words for "Agent" include agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry and organ. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Agent" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Agent"?

There are 120 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Agent". Common alternatives include agency, instrument, instrumentality, machinery, means, medium, ministry, organ, vehicle and assignee.

How do you use "Agent" in a sentence?

Examples of "Agent" in a sentence: "the whitening agent in the detergent is chlorine bleach"; "the Church has been the traditional agent for social justice in impoverished countries"; "the sports agent negotiated a record-breaking contract for the baseball player".

Is "Agent" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Agent" is a noun.

Is "Agent" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "Agent" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+.

How do you pronounce "Agent"?

"Agent" is pronounced /ˈā-jənt/.

What is the origin of the word "Agent"?

"Agent" comes from Middle English, "force capable of acting on matter," borrowed from Medieval Latin agent-, agens "something capable of producing an effect, person authorized to act for another," going back to Latin, present participle of agere "to drive (cattle), ride (a horse), be in motion, do, perform, transact," going back to Indo-European *h2eǵ- "drive," whence Sanskrit ajati "(s/he) drives," Greek ágein "to lead, carry off," Armenian acem "(I) lead," Old Irish ad-aig "drives, impels," Old Norse aka "to travel in a vehicle". First known use: 15th century.