influencer

[in-floo-uhn-ser]

noun

1. a person or thing that influences.

   The most powerful influencer of beliefs is direct experience.

2. a person who has the power to influence many people, as through social media or traditional media.

   Companies look for Facebook influencers who can promote their brand.

Word History and Origins

Origin of influencer¹

First recorded in 1660–70; influence ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

“We have picture-perfect influencers selling endless products, and the honest truth is, I think most of that generation has tuned them out.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Online sales of evacuation kits multiplied, stores set up displays of survival gear and influencers dropped videos showing what to include.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

They could soon be unboxing fines rather than freebies -- Germany's online influencers are facing a tax evasion crackdown that has left them screaming OMG!

Read more on Barron's

At the protest in Glasgow where Steven Rennie spoke about the saltire, there were chants, calls and placards in support of right-wing American influencer Charlie Kirk, who had been shot dead days earlier.

Read more on BBC

In a short-form video post, an influencer gets worked up about a television news story from California.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bellwether 
• tastemaker