influence

The word “influence” means the power to affect how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks. In plain terms, the ability to shape or change something, or the act of doing so.

“Influence” is pronounced IHN-floo-uhns (/ɪnˈflu.əns/ in IPA).

Here is “influence” used in a sentence: “Her teacher had a huge influence on her decision to study medicine.”

Depending on how it is used, “influence” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “influence” comes from Latin. From Old French influence, originally "an emanation from the stars affecting fate," from Latin influere, "to flow into." A doublet of influenza.

“Influence” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Influence” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the power to affect how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks.

Power is the direct ability to make things happen or control outcomes, often through authority or force. Influence is subtler — it is the ability to shape how others think or behave without necessarily commanding them. A person can have great influence without holding formal power, and vice versa.

Influence itself is neutral — it can be used for good or harm. A mentor's positive influence can shape a career, while peer pressure is influence with a negative pull. What matters is the intention behind it and the result. The word simply describes the power to affect others, not whether that effect helps or hurts.

Influence takes many forms. Social influence includes peer pressure and role models; cultural influence shapes shared values and tastes; and personal influence is the sway one individual has over another. In business and media, people also talk about political, economic, and online influence — the ability to affect opinions at scale.