Plural of Agendum
“Agendum” has the documented plurals “agenda” and “agendums.” The history is unusual because “agenda,” originally a plural form, is now independently established as an ordinary singular noun in modern English and takes “agendas” as its plural.
Merriam-Webster gives both “agenda” and “agendums” as plurals of “agendum.” In modern general English, “agenda” is also established as a singular count noun with plural “agendas.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| rare singular noun meaning one item to be done or considered | agendum | Use the singular only when this uncommon noun is genuinely intended. |
| plural of the rare noun agendum | agenda / agendums | Both plural forms are recorded. |
| ordinary modern singular noun for a list, program, or plan | agenda | Treat this modern noun as singular and use “agendas” for its regular plural. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Are you specifically pluralizing the rare singular noun “agendum”?
If yes: Use either “agenda” or “agendums,” according to context and style.
If no: If you are using ordinary modern “agenda” as a singular count noun, its plural is “agendas.”
Caveat: Four forms are involved: “agendum” has recorded plurals “agenda” and “agendums,” while modern singular “agenda” independently forms the plural “agendas.”
Examples
The glossary treats one pending item as an agendum.
“Agendum” is the rare singular form being discussed.
The historical note lists several agendums.
“Agendums” is a recorded plural of the rare noun “agendum.”
The two committees published separate agendas.
Modern “agenda” functions as a singular count noun and forms the plural “agendas.”
Further guidance
Core difference
The plural of the rare singular “agendum” can be “agenda” or “agendums.”
Fast Test
If you are using ordinary modern “agenda” to mean a list or plan, treat it as singular and use “agendas” for more than one.
Usage Boundary
Do not assume that every modern “agenda” must be parsed as the plural of “agendum”; modern English has reanalyzed “agenda” as a singular count noun.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- agendum — Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Merriam-Webster · Direct dictionary evidence that agendum has plural agenda or agendums and can mean an agenda item.