influential
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of influential
First recorded in 1560–70; from Medieval Latin influenti(a) “stellar emanation” ( see 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.
Two-year yields fell after dovish comments from influential Fed policymaker John Williams—paired with lower oil prices—prompted markets to temper expectations for a rate hike in October.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
He is the son of Chris Modrzejewski, a principal at influential lobbying firm M Strategic Communications and well known figure in L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 28, 2026
Much of Novo’s board resigned last fall, and influential leaders like Lotte Bjerre Knudsen, who led development of semaglutide, have since stepped down.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026
Moch Subchi Azal Tsani or Bechi, as he is known, is the son of an influential Islamic religious leader.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
The Reverend William Whewell, an influential man, objected on etymological grounds and suggested instead an "–eous" pattern, producing Meioneous, Pleioneous, and so on.
From "A Short History of Nearly Everything" by Bill Bryson
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.
