agent

a-gent · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A person who acts on behalf of another person or organization.

  2. 2.

    A person who works secretly for a government or intelligence organization.

  3. 3.

    A substance that produces a particular effect or change.

  4. 4.

    [computing]A program that performs tasks automatically on behalf of a user.

  5. 5.

    [grammar]The person or thing that performs an action.

Forms

plural: agents

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    free agent — Someone not bound by contract; able to make independent decisions.
  • •
    double agent — A spy pretending to work for one side while actually working for the other.
  • •
    agent provocateur — A person who induces others to break the law.
  • •
    change agent — A person who promotes and enables change.

Related words

Antonyms: principal
See also: agency, broker, representative, spy
Synonyms: broker, intermediary, operative, representative

Etymology

From Latin agens, present participle of agere ("to do, act, drive"), meaning "one who acts."