What does agent mean?
An agent is a person or thing that acts on behalf of someone or something else, or that produces a particular effect. In everyday use, agents are intermediaries — a travel agent books trips, a literary agent sells manuscripts, a real estate agent handles property sales — each representing a client's interests in exchange for a fee or commission. In government and intelligence work, an agent is someone employed to gather information or enforce the law, as with FBI or CIA agents. In science, the term broadens: a chemical agent is a substance that brings about a reaction, and a disease-causing microbe may be called a causative agent. In philosophy and artificial intelligence, an agent is any entity capable of independent action or decision-making. Derived from the Latin agere, meaning 'to do' or 'to drive', the word emphasizes action performed for another, making it central to discussions of representation, mediation, and cause across law, business, science, and technology.
nounA person or thing that acts on behalf of another person, group, or organization; in chemistry and biology, a substance or force that produces a specified effect.
- A person who represents or acts on behalf of another person, company, or organization (e.g. an agent for an athlete or author).
- A person employed by a government agency, especially in intelligence or law enforcement (e.g. a CIA agent, FBI agent).
- A substance or organism that produces an effect, especially in chemistry, biology, or medicine (e.g. a cleaning agent, a causative agent of disease).
- In philosophy and economics, an entity capable of autonomous action or decision-making.
- In computing, a software program that performs tasks on behalf of a user (a software agent).
"Her literary agent negotiated a six-figure deal with the publisher."
"The real estate agent showed us three houses before we found the right one."
"Bleach acts as a powerful oxidizing agent in the cleaning solution."
Standard English pluralization applies; 'agents' is used identically in all major senses of the word.
"Several agents from different bureaus attended the briefing."
The word 'agent' comes from the Latin agere — 'to do' — making it one of the oldest words in English for simply getting things done.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of agent
Agent derives from the Latin present participle agentem (nominative agens), from the verb agere, meaning 'to do', 'to act', or 'to drive'. It entered English via Old French in the late Middle Ages, initially carrying legal and theological senses relating to one who acts or causes action. Its modern commercial sense — a person transacting business on another's behalf — became well established by the seventeenth century. Cognate words sharing the Latin root agere include agile, agitate, agenda, and act itself.
Related word forms
How agent is actually used
Agent is a neutral, professional word with no strong connotation, though in espionage contexts it can carry connotations of secrecy or intrigue. In British English, 'estate agent' refers to a property dealer, whereas American English uses 'real estate agent' or 'realtor'. The plural 'agents' follows standard English pluralization.
Easily confused with agent
Agency is the noun denoting the organization or the capacity to act, while agent is the individual person or thing doing the acting.