agent
gb/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/ us/ˈeɪd͡ʒənt/
B1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
Person representing another
A person who works for someone else to help them in business, law, or other areas.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s agent
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'agent' with 'agency'. An 'agent' is a person; an 'agency' is a company or organization.
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.)
Collocations
travel agent
|real estate agent
|sports agent
|literary agent
|secret agent
Themes
business
|law
|entertainment
Examples
- Her literary agent negotiated a better contract for her.
- The sports agent arranged several sponsorship deals for the player.
- 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.
- The agent helped me buy a house.
- She called her travel agent to change the flight.
- His sports agent got him a big deal.
- I met my agent at the office.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Person gathering secret information
A person who works secretly to get information for a government or group.
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.)
Collocations
undercover agent
|secret agent
|FBI agent
|double agent
Themes
security
|government
|politics
|law
Examples
- The undercover agent infiltrated the criminal gang.
- A secret agent was sent abroad to gather intelligence.
- 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.
- An FBI agent came to our school.
- The undercover agent took many photos.
- He was a double agent in the war.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
Substance causing an effect
A substance that causes something to happen or change, often in science or medicine.
Synonyms
substance (General term; does not always imply causing change.)
Antonyms
inert material (A substance that does not cause any change or reaction.)
Collocations
cleaning agent
|bleaching agent
|thickening agent
|cooling agent
Themes
science
|medicine
|health
Examples
- Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent.
- The doctor injected a contrast agent before the scan.
- Enzymes act as natural agents in digestion.
- This chemical is used as a thickening agent in sauces.
Learner examples
- Soap is a cleaning agent.
- Sugar can be a thickening agent in food.
- The medicine has an active agent that kills bacteria.
Noun
B2
entity
4
Active cause of change or result
A person or thing that makes something happen or change.
Synonyms
catalyst (Often used metaphorically for someone who causes change quickly.)
Antonyms
bystander (A person who does not take action or influence events.)
Collocations
agent of change
|free agent of history
Themes
philosophy
|general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Education can be an agent of social change.
- She saw herself as an agent of reform within the company.
- Technology has been an important agent in shaping modern life.
Learner examples
- Teachers can be agents of change.
- Water is an agent in plant growth.
- He was an important agent in the project.
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.