This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
agent provocateur
[ ey-juhnt pruh-vok-uh-tur; French a-zhahnpraw-vaw-ka-tœr ]
/ ˈeɪ dʒənt prəˌvɒk əˈtɜr; French a ʒɑ̃ prɔ vɔ kaˈtœr /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural a·gents pro·vo·ca·teurs [ey-juhnts pruh-vok-uh-tur; French a-zhahnpraw-vaw-ka-tœr]. /ˈeɪ dʒənts prəˌvɒk əˈtɜr; French a ʒɑ̃ prɔ vɔ kaˈtœr/.
a secret agent hired to incite suspected persons to some illegal action, outbreak, etc., that will make them liable to punishment.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of agent provocateur
1875–80; <French: inciting agent; see provocation, -eur
Words nearby agent provocateur
agentival, agentive, agent noun, agent of production, Agent Orange, agent provocateur, agentry, Age of Anxiety, Age of Aquarius, age of consent, age of discretion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use agent provocateur in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for agent provocateur
agent provocateur
/ French (aʒɑ̃ prɔvɔkatœr) /
noun plural agents provocateurs (aʒɑ̃ prɔvɔkatœr)
a secret agent employed to provoke suspected persons to commit illegal acts and so be discredited or liable to punishment
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012