influential

[ in-floo-en-shuhl ]

/ ˌɪn fluˈɛn ʃəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR influential ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

having or exerting influence, especially great influence: three influential educators.

noun

a person who exerts or can exert strong influence: according to influentials of the fashion industry.

Nearby words

Origin of influential

1560–70; < Medieval Latin influenti(a) stellar emanation (see influence) + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR influential

1. consequential, forceful, important.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR influential ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

in·flu·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·in·flu·en·tial, adjectivenon·in·flu·en·tial·ly, adverbo·ver·in·flu·en·tial, adjective

qua·si-in·flu·en·tial, adjectivequa·si-in·flu·en·tial·ly, adverbun·in·flu·en·tial, adjectiveun·in·flu·en·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for influential

The influential al Qaeda propagandist, who was born in New Mexico, died in a U.S. drone strike later that year.
France Kills Charlie Hebdo Murderers|Nico Hines|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Also this week, he keynoted a fundraiser for Progress Iowa, an influential liberal group in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.
Why the Left Loves Warren, But Won’t Swoon for Sanders|David Freedlander|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A year later Time would name him one of the most influential people in the world.
Chris Colfer on Writing, Acting, and the Pain of Being A Pop Culture Trailblazer|Oliver Jones|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her solution: a bucket list of influential people and places to visit and photograph.
Annie Leibovitz Talks About ‘Pilgrimage,’ Susan Sontag, Vogue & More|Justin Jones|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Martin Scorsese is one of the most celebrated and influential directors in cinema history.
Scorsese’s Scariest Movies of All Time|Martin Scorsese|October 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 1788 he was one of the most influential members of the Massachusetts convention which ratified the Federal Constitution.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 15, Slice 7|Various
You will have to tax this influential class of people for the magnificent schools they in many cases will be unable to use.
Mankind in the Making|H. G. Wells
It was composed of a number of young gentlemen, members of the most influential families of the city.
Lady Rosamond's Secret|Rebecca Agatha Armour
For a full generation this eminent citizen has occupied a conspicuous and influential position in the nation.
A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents, Volume IX.|Benjamin Harrison
A third obstacle to the successful operation of free labor, was the absence of the most influential proprietors.
The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus|American Anti-Slavery Society

British Dictionary definitions for influential

influential

/ (ˌɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl) /

adjective

having or exerting influence

Derived Formsinfluentially, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for influential

influential

adj.

"powerful," 1650s, from Medieval Latin influentialis, from influentia (see influence). Earlier in an astrological sense (1560s).

influential

adjective

noun

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Origin of influential

Examples from the Web for influential

influential

adjective

influential