influential

[in-floo-en-shuhl]

adjective

1. having or exerting influence, especially great influence.

   three influential educators.

   Synonyms: important, forceful, consequential

noun

1. a person who exerts or can exert strong influence.

   according to influentials of the fashion industry.

influential

/ ˌɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. having or exerting influence

Other Word Forms

• influentially adverb
• noninfluential adjective
• noninfluentially adverb
• overinfluential adjective
• quasi-influential adjective
• quasi-influentially adverb
• uninfluential adjective
• uninfluentially adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of influential¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Medieval Latin influenti(a) “stellar emanation” ( influence ) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA and one of the Republican Party’s most influential figures, was fatally shot by a sniper at Utah Valley University in September.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And here is the full list of 25 people who are influential in money and markets that will be featured the series.

Read more on MarketWatch

And here is the full list of 25 people who are influential in money and markets that will be featured the series.

Read more on MarketWatch

The collapse of the deal is the latest twist in a protracted tussle for control of The Telegraph, a politically influential paper with strong ties to Britain’s Conservative Party.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kumar is one of the state's most influential leaders and has led the state government for most of the past two decades.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• authoritative 
• dominant 
• famous 
• important 
• leading 
• persuasive 
• prominent 
• significant 
• strong