# agency

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈeɪ.d͡ʒən.si/ · frequency rank #1,415

## Definitions
1. The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power.
2. The capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices.
3. A medium through which power is exerted or an end is achieved.
4. The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent.
5. An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency.
6. A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by, such unit of government.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ-
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti
Proto-Italic *agō
Latin agō
Medieval Latin agēns
Proto-Indo-European *-yós
Proto-Italic *-ios
Old Latin -ios
Medieval Latin -ius
Medieval Latin -ia
Medieval Latin agēntiabor.
English agency
From Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agēns (present participle of agere (“to act”)), agentis (cognate with French agence, see also agent).

## Easily confused with
- **agent** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/agency-vs-agent)
- **agony** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/agency-vs-agony)
- **agents** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/agency-vs-agents)
- **agenda** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/agency-vs-agenda)

## Common misspellings (9)
`aegncy`, `agecny`, `agenccy`, `agencyy`, `agenncy`, `agenyc`, `aggency`, `agnecy`, `gaency`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/agency