agency
AY-juhn-see
/ˈeɪdʒənsi/
The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; the ability to make choices.
In philosophy and sociology, it refers to an individual's ability to act independently and make free choices.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'agere', meaning 'to do' or 'to drive'. It is the same root that gives us 'act' and 'agent'.
Word relationships
- power: Power is the ability to do; agency is the capacity to choose and act for oneself.
- helplessness: Helplessness is the inability to act or choose.
Commonly confused with
- action: Action is the deed itself; agency is the capacity to perform the deed.
Word family
- agent (noun): A person who acts on behalf of another or themselves.
Collocations
- moral agency
- sense of agency
- human agency
- lack of agency
Example sentences
- "The debate centers on whether individuals have true moral agency or if their actions are determined by their environment." Philosophy
- "The program aims to give marginalized youth a sense of agency over their own futures." Social Justice
Memory hook
An 'Agent' has the 'Agency' to get things done. Capacity to act.
When not to use
Don't confuse with a 'business agency' (like a travel agency), though they share the same root.
Fun facts
- The concept of 'agency' is a major topic in video game design—how much choice does the player actually have?
Related words
Explore more words
empowerment, leverage, capability, empower, efficacy, influence
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