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. See estate agent
   short for estate agent
7. See secret agent
   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

To challenge an appraisal, review it with your agent and look for discrepancies.

From Washington Blade

A special agent for the state wound up producing a report for prosecution, but the San Diego County district attorney’s office decided against it.

From Voice of San Diego

Aranha thinks that a multi-agent approach, where several AIs work independently to build structures informed by their immediate surroundings, could lead to more coherent and realistic designs.

From MIT Technology Review

This program is for lawyers, financial planners, real estate agents, photographers, event planners, and tax specialists.

From Search Engine Land

While the the system assists the agent towards the right answer using machine-learning models trained on prior similar, successfully resolved cases and on the customer’s previous interactions with the company.

From MIT Technology Review

Before anti-vaxxers, there were anti-fluoriders: a group who spread fear about the anti-tooth decay agent added to drinking water.

From The Daily Beast

My agent at the time sent that tape to SNL and then they asked me to come in for an audition.

From The Daily Beast

I could complain about how, two out of eight episodes in, Agent Carter is in no hurry to introduce its real villain.

From The Daily Beast

Lalo said he reported the kidnapping to his ICE handlers, which was confirmed by a former federal agent familiar with the case.

From The Daily Beast

You would drink it, then “take a little nap and after that you feel wonderful,” according to a press agent.

From The Daily Beast

That the inconstancy of such notices, in cases equally important, proves they did not proceed from any such agent.

From Project Gutenberg

The board will appoint a settling agent who shall keep the necessary records and accounts.

From Project Gutenberg

It is probable he wished to provide written proof of a plea that he was an unwilling agent in the clutch of a mutinous army.

From Project Gutenberg

When the carpet was done, Aunt Ri took the roll in her own independent arms, and strode with it to the Agent's house.

From Project Gutenberg

Yes, the Agent had heard this; he had wondered why the widow did not come to see him; he had expected to hear from her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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