influence
IHN-floo-uhns
Influence (noun) means the power to affect how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks. Example: “Parents often have a strong influence over the food their children enjoy.”
noun
1
The power to affect how someone or something develops, behaves, or thinks.
"Parents often have a strong influence over the food their children enjoy."
"Her teacher had a huge influence on her decision to study medicine."
"Social media has a growing influence on young people's opinions."
verb
1
To affect or change someone's thinking, behavior, or development.
"Don't let your friends influence you into spending money you don't have."
"Weather can influence how many people visit the seaside on a given day."
"Advertising is designed to influence what we buy."
How to use influence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ability to shape or change something, or the act of doing so.
Common pairings
under the influence
influence on
exert influence
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like influence.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- influences
- Third person singular
- influences
- Past tense
- influenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Parents often have a strong _____ over the food their children enjoy.
Etymology
From Old French influence, originally "an emanation from the stars affecting fate," from Latin influere, "to flow into." A doublet of influenza.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for influence
See all rhymes for influence →Frequently asked questions
What does “influence” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “influence”?
“Influence” is pronounced IHN-floo-uhns (/ɪnˈflu.əns/ in IPA).
How do you use “influence” in a sentence?
Here is “influence” used in a sentence: “Her teacher had a huge influence on her decision to study medicine.”
What part of speech is “influence”?
Depending on how it is used, “influence” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “influence” come from?
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.
Is “influence” a common word?
“Influence” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “influence” have?
“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.
What is the difference between influence and power?
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.
Is influence good or bad?
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.
What are the types of influence?
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include influence:
