How to pronounce agency
Say it like AY-jun-see. Agency has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce agency. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AY
- jun
- see
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Agency pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- junKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- seeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of agency
American and British speakers say agency in essentially the same way: /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ in the US and /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ in the UK.
British respelling: AY-jun-see.
What does agency mean?
- an administrative unit of government“the Central Intelligence Agency”“the Census Bureau”
- a business or organization that provides a particular service, especially the mediation of transactions between two parties
- the state of being in action or exerting power“the agency of providence”“she has free agency”
Where does agency come from?
From Medieval Latin agentia, from Latin agēns (present participle of agere (“to act”)), agentis (cognate with French agence, see also agent).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying agency
How do you pronounce agency?
Say AY-jun-see. The American pronunciation is /ˈeɪdʒənsi/. In British English it is /ˈeɪdʒənsi/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in agency?
Agency has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AY). Broken into parts: AY · jun · see.
Do Americans and Brits say agency the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈeɪdʒənsi/ and the British form is /ˈeɪdʒənsi/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.