influential
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
- influentially adverb
- noninfluential adjective
- noninfluentially adverb
- overinfluential adjective
- quasi-influential adjective
- quasi-influentially adverb
- uninfluential adjective
- uninfluentially adverb
Etymology
Origin of influential
First recorded in 1560–70; from Medieval Latin influenti(a) “stellar emanation” ( influence ) + -al 1
Explanation
If your grandfather worked his whole life in a circus and inspired you to wear clown shoes, you could describe your grandfather as very influential in your life. Something that exerts influence or power can be called influential. You could read a deeply meaningful book that becomes influential to you, or there might be an important person in your life who is strongly influential over various decisions you make. The Latin word influentem, "flowing in," is the root of the Old French influence, which described the power was believed to flow from the stars.
Vocabulary lists containing influential
Very Necessary: Synonyms for "Important"
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Latin Love, Vol II: fluere
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Unwind
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Notice how influential the bearish island reversals were in spotting near term tops completed on Dec. 8 and Feb. 2.
From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026
Featuring programming from WSJ Opinion’s new Free Expression franchise, WSJ Opinion Live brought WSJ columnists and influential thought leaders together to examine where the nation stood and what lay ahead.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Activist hedge funds — which buy stakes in companies and push for strategic change — have become increasingly influential across corporate America.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
One of Los Angeles’ most influential home builders, KB Home, is relocating its headquarters out of state, becoming the latest high-profile firm to do so.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026
Virginia Durr, a wealthy and influential white Montgomerian who supported the NAACP, launched her own support drive for Claudette.
From "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
