influential
ihnf-luu-EHN-shuhl
Influential (adj) means having significant power to affect how things develop or how people think. Example: “Many people consider her teacher the most influential person in her early life.”
adj
1
Having significant power to affect how things develop or how people think.
"Many people consider her teacher the most influential person in her early life."
"She became one of the most influential voices in modern architecture."
"His early novels were hugely influential on later writers."
How to use influential
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a lot of sway or impact over people or events.
Common pairings
influential figure
highly influential
influential role
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Word forms
- Plural
- influentials
- Comparative
- more influential
- Superlative
- most influential
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Many people consider her teacher the most _____ person in her early life.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin influentialis, built on influentia — see influence.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
uninfluential
Related words
Rhymes for influential
See all rhymes for influential →Frequently asked questions
What does “influential” mean?
The word “influential” means having significant power to affect how things develop or how people think. In plain terms, having a lot of sway or impact over people or events.
How do you pronounce “influential”?
“Influential” is pronounced ihnf-luu-EHN-shuhl (/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “influential” in a sentence?
Here is “influential” used in a sentence: “She became one of the most influential voices in modern architecture.”
What part of speech is “influential”?
“Influential” is an adjective.
Where does the word “influential” come from?
The word “influential” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin influentialis, built on influentia — see influence.
Is “influential” a common word?
“Influential” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between influential and powerful?
Powerful describes having direct power or control, while influential describes having the power to affect how things develop or how people think, often indirectly. A writer can be influential without holding any formal power, and an official can be powerful without changing anyone's mind. The two often overlap but are not interchangeable.
Is it 'influential in' or 'influential on'?
Both patterns are correct but work differently. 'Influential in' is followed by an area or process, often an -ing form: 'she was influential in shaping the policy'. 'Influential on' introduces the person or thing affected: 'his work was influential on later designers'.
What is the difference between influential and important?
Important means having great significance or value, while influential specifically means having the power to affect developments or opinions. Something can be important without changing anything — a rare manuscript, for example — whereas an influential book actively shapes how people think or act.
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