agency
AY-juhn-see
Agency (noun) means a business or organization that provides a particular service, often acting on behalf of others. Example: “The recruitment agency found him a job within two weeks.”
noun
1
A business or organization that provides a particular service, often acting on behalf of others.
"The recruitment agency found him a job within two weeks."
"She booked the holiday through a travel agency."
"The advertising agency pitched three new campaign ideas."
2
A person's capacity to act independently and make their own choices.
"Giving patients a choice of treatment gives them more agency over their own care."
"The novel is about a woman reclaiming her agency."
"Young children have limited agency over their daily routines."
3
A department or branch of government responsible for a specific area.
"A government agency inspects the safety of food sold in shops."
"The environmental agency issued a new set of guidelines."
"He works for a federal agency in Washington."
How to use agency
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a business that acts on your behalf, or the personal power to act and choose for yourself.
Common pairings
travel agency
government agency
sense of agency
act with agency
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Word forms
- Plural
- agencies
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The recruitment _____ found him a job within two weeks.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin agentia, built from Latin agens ("acting"), the present participle of agere ("to act, do") — the same root as "agent."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for agency
latency
urgency
potency
decency
regency
currency
tendency
clemency
leniency
frequency
emergency
residency
See all rhymes for agency →
Frequently asked questions
What does “agency” mean?
The word “agency” means a business or organization that provides a particular service, often acting on behalf of others. In plain terms, either a business that acts on your behalf, or the personal power to act and choose for yourself.
How do you pronounce “agency”?
“Agency” is pronounced AY-juhn-see (/ˈeɪ.d͡ʒən.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “agency” in a sentence?
Here is “agency” used in a sentence: “She booked the holiday through a travel agency.”
What is another word for “agency”?
Words with a similar meaning to “agency” include action, activity, agent, agentship, cause and device.
What is the opposite of “agency”?
The opposite of “agency” — its antonyms — is nonagency.
What part of speech is “agency”?
“Agency” is a noun.
Where does the word “agency” come from?
The word “agency” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin agentia, built from Latin agens ("acting"), the present participle of agere ("to act, do") — the same root as "agent.".
Is “agency” a common word?
“Agency” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between an agency and a company?
Every agency is a kind of company, but the word 'agency' highlights that it acts on behalf of clients — an advertising agency runs campaigns for other businesses, for example. A plain 'company' may make or sell its own products directly. 'Agency' stresses the role of representing or serving others.
What are the different types of agencies?
Agencies are usually named after the service they provide. Common examples include advertising and marketing agencies, travel agencies, employment or staffing agencies, real-estate agencies, and insurance agencies. The word also covers government agencies — public bodies such as tax, security, or environmental departments that carry out official functions.
What is an example of an agency?
A travel agency booking trips for customers is a familiar example, as is an advertising agency creating campaigns for brands. Government agencies, such as a space agency or an intelligence agency, are public organizations carrying out specific official duties on behalf of the state.
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