Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person secretly employed in espionage for a government: An individual who works covertly to obtain confidential information or to perform other clandestine activities on behalf of a government or organization.

Usage

• The term "secret agent" specifically refers to an individual engaged in intelligence gathering or covert operations. It emphasizes the clandestine nature of the work and the agent's affiliation with a government body.
• It is often used in political, military, and espionage contexts.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The novel features a secret agent who must prevent a global catastrophe.
  • During the Cold War, many secret agents were active in European capitals.
  • The government denied employing any secret agents in the region.

Advanced Usage

• "To operate as a secret agent": To perform the duties of a spy or undercover operative.
  • For ten years, she operated as a secret agent, infiltrating the criminal organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Agent (n): A broader term that can mean a representative. In intelligence contexts, it is often synonymous with "secret agent."
  • An undercover agent was placed in the company.
• Intelligence officer (n): A more formal term for a member of an intelligence service, which may or may not involve covert field work.
• Operative (n): A common synonym in espionage jargon for a secret agent.
  • The operatives communicated using coded messages.

Synonyms

• Spy
• Undercover agent
• Covert operative
• Intelligence agent

Related Phrases

• Double agent (n): A secret agent who pretends to work for one government while actually serving another.
  • The double agent fed false information to the enemy.
• Secret service (n): A government department concerned with espionage and protection.
  • He was a member of the secret service.

Noun

1. a person secretly employed in espionage for a government