Word

influential

adjective C1

UK /ɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl/

US /ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/

Meanings

adjective

Having the power to affect decisions, opinions, or behavior, especially of many people.

adjective

Widely respected or important within a particular field, so that others follow the person’s ideas or example.

Definition

Able to affect other people’s opinions, decisions, or actions in a significant way.

If someone or something is influential, it has the power to shape what others think or do. This influence can come from authority, expertise, popularity, or persuasive ideas. The word is often used to describe people, organizations, books, or movements that have a strong impact over time.

Examples

She became an influential editor who could launch new writers’ careers with a single review.
In the debate, he cited an influential study that shifted the committee’s priorities.
The city’s most influential community leaders met to coordinate the response after the storm.
I found the professor’s lecture so influential that I changed the focus of my thesis.
Their most influential album shaped the sound of an entire generation of musicians.

Common mistake

Learners often confuse influential (having influence) with influencive, which is not standard in modern English.