Latin today · Business & office · Everyday English
Agenda
“things to be done”
Latin word in modern English
Meaning
What does “Agenda” mean?
An agenda is the list of topics for a meeting. In a wider sense it means the plans or goals someone is pursuing, as in "a hidden agenda".
In real life
Where you meet it
In meeting invitations, board papers, school councils and political reporting.
Example
“Agenda” in a sentence
Please send me any items for the agenda by Thursday.
Origin
Where the word comes from
Agenda is a Latin plural: "the things that must be done", from agere, "to do, to drive". The singular is agendum. In English it became a singular noun with its own plural, "agendas".
Pronunciation
How to say it
Usual Englishuh-JEN-duh
Classical Latina-GEN-da
Good to know
Common mistakes
- In modern English "the agenda is" is correct – nobody expects "the agenda are" any more.
- The plural in English is "agendas".
- "Agendum" exists but is rarely used today.
- Latin
- Agenda
- Literally
- things to be done
- Used in
- Business & office, Everyday English
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