influence
the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.
the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others: Her mother's influence made her stay.
a person or thing that exerts influence: He is an influence for the good.
Astrology.
the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
the exercise of similar power by human beings.
Obsolete. influx.
Idioms about influence
under the influence, Law. less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: He was driving while under the influence.: Also under the influence of intoxicating liquor .
Origin of influence
1Other words for influence
Other words from influence
- in·flu·ence·a·ble, adjective
- in·flu·enc·er, noun
- coun·ter·in·flu·ence, noun, verb (used with object), coun·ter·in·flu·enced, coun·ter·in·flu·enc·ing.
- in·ter·in·flu·ence, verb, in·ter·in·flu·enced, in·ter·in·flu·enc·ing.
- non·in·flu·ence, noun
- out·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), out·in·flu·enced, out·in·flu·enc·ing.
- o·ver·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), o·ver·in·flu·enced, o·ver·in·flu·enc·ing.
- pre·in·flu·ence, noun
- re·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), re·in·flu·enced, re·in·flu·enc·ing.
- su·per·in·flu·ence, noun, verb (used with object), su·per·in·flu·enced, su·per·in·flu·enc·ing.
- un·in·flu·enced, adjective
- un·in·flu·enc·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with influence
Words Nearby influence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use influence in a sentence
He’s unaware of who else is on the panel and how much influence the panels will have on the process.
Oceanside Is Rethinking Its Police Chief Hiring Process Following Community Concerns | Kayla Jimenez | September 14, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoUnder Huang, Nvidia has risen rapidly up the ranks of technology companies in market value and influence.
Nvidia is buying SoftBank’s Arm chip division in biggest semiconductor deal ever | Claire Zillman, reporter | September 14, 2020 | FortuneThe extensive observations allowed them to reconstruct the three-dimensional structure of the disk torn apart by the influences of the three stars.
A strange dusty disk could hide a planet betwixt three stars | Paola Rosa-Aquino | September 11, 2020 | Popular-ScienceGiven how much influence steering winds have over hurricane speed and trajectory, climate change may influence stalling by reshaping large-scale wind patterns.
Slow, meandering hurricanes are often more dangerous—and they’re getting more common | Greta Moran | September 9, 2020 | Popular-ScienceTaken together, the government has substantial influence on medical innovation.
Times of strife can lead to medical innovation—when governments are willing | By Jeffrey Clemens/The Conversation | September 9, 2020 | Popular-Science
Police have unions, for one, and those unions influence the elections of their civilian leadership.
A Veteran’s View: NYC Cold War Between Cops and City Hall | Matt Gallagher | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWhat sets him apart from so many of his contemporaries was his rare immunity from the influence of prevailing ideas.
The Catholic Philosopher Who Took on Hitler | John Henry Crosby | December 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST"He brought Ray Charles to the mix as an influence on rock & roll," E Street Band guitarist Steven Van Zandt once raved.
These women interred the bodies of saints on their own properties and occasionally managed to influence papal politics.
First Anglican Woman Bishop A Return to Christian Roots | Candida Moss | December 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTArchrival India has money to throw around, and Iran and Russia are also exerting influence in the region.
Pakistan’s Dance With Terrorists Just Backfired and Killed 132 Children | Chris Allbritton | December 17, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAfter her marriage to Eugène Manet she came under the influence of his famous brother, Édouard.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine ClementSo intelligent were her methods that she doubtless had great influence in making the memory of his art enduring.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine ClementIt is probable that Mlle. Mayer came under the influence of Prud'hon as early as 1802, possibly before that time.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine ClementThe voice is the most potent influence of expression, the winged messenger between soul and soul.
Expressive Voice Culture | Jessie Eldridge SouthwickUnder the soothing influence of beauty, however, the vicar forgot his woes.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for influence
/ (ˈɪnflʊəns) /
an effect of one person or thing on another
the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
a person or thing having influence
astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
under the influence informal drunk
to persuade or induce
to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect
Origin of influence
1Derived forms of influence
- influenceable, adjective
- influencer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with influence
see under the influence.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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