agent
gb/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/ us/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
B1
English
~ 1300
ügynök, képviselő, megbízott, kém, titkosügynök, szer, anyag, ágens, mozgatóerő, előidéző, tényező
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s agent
Her literary agent negotiated a better contract for her.
Az irodalmi ügynöke jobb szerződést alkudott ki neki.
The sports agent arranged several sponsorship deals for the player.
A sportügynök több szponzori megállapodást szerzett a játékosnak.
You should contact my real estate agent about viewing the house.
His travel agent booked the entire trip for him.
The actor met with his agent to discuss future roles.
Learner examples
My agent found me a new job.
Az ügynököm új állást talált nekem.
The agent helped me buy a house.
Az ingatlanügynök segített házat vennem.
She called her travel agent to change the flight.
His sports agent got him a big deal.
I met my agent at the office.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'agent' with 'agency'. An 'agent' is a person; an 'agency' is a company or organization.
Meaning
Person representing another
Collocations
travel agent
|real estate agent
|sports agent
|literary agent
|secret agent
Synonyms
representative (More general term for someone acting for others, not limited to professional roles.)
Antonyms
principal (The person who is represented by an agent.)
Themes
business
|law
|entertainment
Definition
A person who works for someone else to help them in business, law, or other areas.
A person who acts for or represents another person, especially in business, legal, or entertainment matters.
NOUN
B1
2
The undercover agent infiltrated the criminal gang.
A fedett ügynök beépült a bűnbandába.
A secret agent was sent abroad to gather intelligence.
Egy titkosügynököt külföldre küldtek, hogy hírszerzési információkat gyűjtsön.
The FBI agent questioned the suspect for hours.
They discovered he was actually a double agent working for both sides.
Learner examples
The secret agent wore dark glasses.
A titkosügynök sötét szemüveget viselt.
An FBI agent came to our school.
Egy FBI-ügynök jött az iskolánkba.
The undercover agent took many photos.
He was a double agent in the war.
Meaning
Person gathering secret information
Collocations
undercover agent
|secret agent
|FBI agent
|double agent
Synonyms
spy (Informal and common term for someone gathering secret information, often in fiction.)
Antonyms
civilian (An ordinary person not involved in espionage or law enforcement.)
Themes
security
|government
|politics
|law
Definition
A person who works secretly to get information for a government or group.
A person employed to obtain secret information for a government, organization, or employer, often in espionage or law enforcement.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent.
A hipó erős tisztítószer.
The doctor injected a contrast agent before the scan.
Az orvos kontrasztanyagot fecskendezett be a vizsgálat előtt.
Enzymes act as natural agents in digestion.
This chemical is used as a thickening agent in sauces.
Learner examples
Soap is a cleaning agent.
A szappan tisztítószer.
Sugar can be a thickening agent in food.
A cukor sűrítőanyagként működhet az ételekben.
The medicine has an active agent that kills bacteria.
Meaning
Substance causing an effect
Collocations
cleaning agent
|bleaching agent
|thickening agent
|cooling agent
Synonyms
substance (General term; does not always imply causing change.)
Antonyms
inert material (A substance that does not cause any change or reaction.)
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
Definition
A substance that causes something to happen or change, often in science or medicine.
A substance that produces a particular effect, especially in chemical, medical, or biological processes.
NOUN
B2
4
Education can be an agent of social change.
Az oktatás a társadalmi változás egyik mozgatóereje lehet.
She saw herself as an agent of reform within the company.
Úgy tekintett magára, mint a vállalaton belüli reformok előmozdítójára.
Technology has been an important agent in shaping modern life.
Learner examples
Teachers can be agents of change.
A tanárok a változás mozgatói lehetnek.
Water is an agent in plant growth.
A víz fontos tényező a növények növekedésében.
He was an important agent in the project.
Meaning
Active cause of change or result
Collocations
agent of change
|free agent of history
Synonyms
catalyst (Often used metaphorically for someone who causes change quickly.)
Antonyms
bystander (A person who does not take action or influence events.)
Themes
philosophy
|general
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that makes something happen or change.
Someone or something that actively causes an effect or brings about a result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
agent
IPA
GB/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
US/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
Syllables & stress
agent (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (agent)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: agent
- Plural: agents
Word family
Forms
agents
noun
Core family
agency
noun B1
Expressions
double agent
1/dˈʌbəl ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
fixed phrase
Spy serving two sides simultaneously
A spy who works for two different groups at the same time and gives each group information about the other.
Examples
- They discovered he was actually a double agent feeding secrets to the enemy.
- The novel tells the story of a double agent during the Cold War.
free agent
1/fɹˈi ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
fixed phrase
Independent person without obligations to others
Someone who is free to do what they want because they are not tied by rules, contracts, or commitments.
Examples
- After leaving the company, she felt like a free agent ready to start her own business.
- He's a free agent in the sports market this season.
secret agent
1/sˈikɹɪt ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
fixed phrase
Spy working for government or group
A person who works secretly to get information for a government or group.
Examples
- In the movie, he plays a secret agent sent to stop the villains.
- She dreamed of becoming a secret agent when she was young.
travel agent
1/tɹˈævəl ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
fixed phrase
Person arranging travel plans for clients
A person whose job is to plan and book trips for people.
Examples
- The travel agent found us a great deal on flights.
- I called my travel agent to book a hotel in Rome.