Say it like this
- Let's stick to the agenda.
- We need to add that to the agenda.
- The agenda is packed today.
Use it at work
Before the meeting
- I've added an agenda to the invite.
- Could you send the agenda before the call?
Running the meeting
- We've got three items on the agenda, so let's move fast.
- That's not on the agenda. Can we take it offline?
Adding topics
- Can I add the release date to the agenda?
- Let's put security on next week's agenda.
Don't say this
Agenda is a noun, not a verb. Use 'add to the agenda' instead of 'agenda' as a verb.
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your team needs to discuss a critical bug. How do you phrase it?
2. The project manager circulated the _______ before the sprint planning meeting so everyone could prepare.
3. Which sentence uses 'agenda' correctly?
4. Rewrite this using natural tech English: 'We must write down what we will discuss in the meeting about the new API.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let's stick to the agenda."
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about agenda
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"I have sent out the meeting agenda—please review it before we start at 2 PM."
- in a planning session
"Our first agenda item is to review the project timeline for the new feature release."
- in an email
"The team lead circulated the quarterly business review agenda to ensure everyone knows what will be covered."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not use 'agenda' as a verb in English (e.g., 'to agenda something'). Use 'schedule', 'plan', or 'add to the agenda' instead. Also, agenda is countable when referring to multiple lists, but often used as singular in meetings.
- ✕The agenda is very informal—we do not need a schedule.✓An informal meeting doesn't require a detailed agenda, but a loose outline is still helpful.
Agendas exist at all formality levels. Even casual meetings benefit from some structure.
- ✕I have hidden agendas for this product decision.✓Some people worry there may be hidden agendas behind this product decision.
Saying you have hidden agendas implies dishonesty. Use it to refer to suspected unstated motivations of others, with caution.
Other forms(3)
- agenda noun
"The agenda for the retrospective includes team feedback and process improvements."
- agendas noun (plural)
"Different agendas were distributed to different stakeholder groups."
- agenda-driven adjective
"Some criticized the meeting for being too agenda-driven rather than open to discussion."
Often used with(6)
- set the agenda · To establish the topics and direction of discussion or plan.
- stick to the agenda · To stay focused on planned topics and avoid digressions.
- add to the agenda · To include an additional topic to be discussed in a meeting.
- full agenda · A packed or busy schedule with many items to cover.
- hidden agenda · An unstated or concealed goal or motive behind a decision or action.
- action items on the agenda · Tasks or decisions that need to be made during the meeting.
Similar words(4)
- schedule · More general term for planned times and activities; agenda is more specific to meetings.
- plan · Broader term; agenda is a detailed, ordered list for a specific event.
- outline · Similar structure but less formal; outline may be less detailed than an agenda.
- checklist · A list of items, but does not always include time allocation or sequence as an agenda does.
Opposites(2)
- improvisation
- unstructured discussion
Questions(5)
- What does agenda mean in software engineering?
- In software engineering, an agenda is a structured list of topics to be discussed in a meeting or sprint event. It ensures the team stays focused, manages time efficiently, and covers all necessary items. For example, a sprint planning agenda might include backlog review, capacity planning, and sprint goal definition.
- How do you use agenda in a sentence at work?
- Use agenda as a noun: 'The agenda for the architecture review includes database schema changes and API design decisions.' You can also say 'add to the agenda' or 'stick to the agenda'. Avoid using it as a verb: do not say 'We need to agenda this'; instead, say 'We need to add this to the agenda.'
- Is agenda formal or informal?
- Agenda is neutral in formality—it is used in both formal board meetings and casual team standup meetings. The complexity and detail of an agenda may vary based on context, but the term itself is appropriate for all professional settings.
- What is the difference between an agenda and a checklist?
- An agenda is typically ordered, often includes time allocations, and is prepared before a meeting to guide discussion. A checklist is a list of items to complete without necessarily implying sequence or time management. Agendas are more about organizing conversation; checklists are about tracking completion of tasks.
- Can agenda be used as a verb?
- No. Agenda is a noun in English. Do not say 'to agenda something'. Instead, use 'to schedule', 'to plan', or the phrase 'to add to the agenda'. This is a common mistake made by non-native speakers.
