agenda
C1Formal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
A list of items to be discussed or acted upon at a formal meeting.
A personal or organisational plan of things to be done; an underlying motive or intention.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally plural (Latin 'agenda' = things to be done), but now universally treated as singular in English. The extended meaning of 'secret motive' is common but can be contentious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is almost identical. Both treat it as a singular noun. The metaphorical use ('hidden agenda') is equally common.
Connotations
The word can carry a negative connotation when implying hidden intentions ('He has a political agenda').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British formal contexts, but a core word in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
set/agree on an agenda for Nput N on the agendahave an agendafollow the agendastick to the agendaVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hidden agenda”
- “Set the agenda”
- “High on the agenda”
- “Off the agenda”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board meeting agenda was circulated a week in advance.
Academic
The researcher's personal agenda should not influence the interpretation of data.
Everyday
What's on the agenda for this weekend?
Technical
The conference agenda is managed via a dedicated online portal.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They agendised the issue for the next committee sitting.
American English
- The topic was agendized for the upcoming council meeting.
adjective
British English
- The agenda-driven reporting lacked objectivity.
American English
- Agenda-based journalism is a growing concern.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher wrote the lesson agenda on the board.
- Please send me the agenda before the meeting.
- Environmental issues are high on the government's agenda.
- Critics accused the documentary of having a clear ideological agenda.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
An AGENDA is what you AGree ENDings to, after discussing items in a meeting.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/PLAN IS A LIST (We worked through the agenda), INTENTION IS A HIDDEN OBJECT (He has a hidden agenda).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'агент' (agent).
- Not synonymous with 'diary' or 'planner' (ежедневник).
- Beware of using plural verb ('agenda are') – it's singular in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'an agenda' to mean a physical diary/notebook.
- Treating it as plural (e.g., 'The agenda are long').
- Confusing with 'agendum' (rarely used singular form).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'agenda' correctly in its most common formal sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern English, 'agenda' is always treated as a singular noun (e.g., The agenda is long). Its original Latin plural meaning 'things to be done' is now obsolete in standard usage.
A 'hidden agenda' refers to a secret motive or undisclosed intention behind someone's actions or proposals, often with a negative connotation of deceit.
Yes, informally it can mean a personal plan (e.g., 'What's your agenda for today?'), though words like 'plans' or 'schedule' are more common in casual speech.
An 'agenda' is a list of items to be discussed *before* a meeting. 'Minutes' are the written record of what was discussed and decided *during* the meeting.