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.
Loomer, an influential voice in some conservative circles, has at times promoted conspiracy theories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Clint Reilly, a Bay Area milkman’s son who rose to manage the campaigns of California’s most influential political figures, has died at age 79.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
The most influential research was from Jagadeesh and Titman, two finance professors at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, in1993, but earlier papers date back at least to the 1960s.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Newcastle United paid tribute, describing Keegan as "one of the most iconic, influential and deeply loved figures in our club's history".
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
Though there was little new news, Elisha’s influential family and friends supplied the newspapers with excerpts from his letters to keep his name in the public eye.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
