Words / B1

AYJ-uh-nsee/ˈeɪdʒənsi/

An agency is a business that provides a service, or a government body: a travel agency; a letting agency; an advertising agency; a government agency. A company is the general word; a bureau is more formal or official. People find jobs, flats, and trips through agencies. Agent is the person; agency is the organisation. Do not write “an agentcy” — the spelling is agency.

Meaning

A business that provides a service, or a government organisation.

Examples

• “She found the flat through a letting agency.”
• “A recruitment agency sent her three interviews in a week.”
• “The environment agency published a report on river pollution.”

Good to know

travel / letting / advertising / government agency. Person: agent. General business: company. Formal: bureau.

Near in meaning

bureau

New