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

Derived Forms

• ˌinfluˈentially, adverb

Other Words From

• influ·ential·ly adverb
• nonin·flu·ential adjective
• nonin·flu·ential·ly adverb
• over·influ·ential adjective
• quasi-influ·ential adjective
• quasi-influ·ential·ly adverb
• unin·flu·ential adjective
• unin·flu·ential·ly 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

Maybe, just maybe, Europe really could come up with a successor that proves as useful and influential.

From Fortune

Perhaps no market force has proved more influential — and more misguided — than the nation’s property-insurance system.

From ProPublica

Instead of a single list recognizing influential leaders under age 40, there are separate lists across five industries—finance, technology, health care, government and policy, and media and entertainment.

From Fortune

Its stunning collection includes works by some of the most influential and important artists of the mid-20th century, and its definitely a must-see for any art lover.

From No Straight News

Chekheria took charge of the Adjara-run Holiday Inn Tbilisi as general manager before rising to the top job at Adjara, which was founded by influential Georgian philanthropist and entrepreneur Temur Ugulava.

From Ozy

The influential al Qaeda propagandist, who was born in New Mexico, died in a U.S. drone strike later that year.

From The Daily Beast

With her help, we've gathered the ultimate list of the country's greatest influential bars.

From The Daily Beast

Also this week, he keynoted a fundraiser for Progress Iowa, an influential liberal group in the first-in-the-nation caucus state.

From The Daily Beast

A year later Time would name him one of the most influential people in the world.

From The Daily Beast

Much like her character, Esco frequently quotes influential people and launches into potted history lessons.

From The Daily Beast

Governor Endicott, and other influential men in Massachusetts, formed an association against wearing long hair!

From Project Gutenberg

One resource so influential that it often shapes the economic pattern of a state is soil.

From Project Gutenberg

He studied theology, and became tutor to the sons of influential personages.

From Project Gutenberg

The plantation owners also became the influential individuals within the colony—politically, economically and socially.

From Project Gutenberg

James Madison, a most profound student of government, is considered as the most influential member of the convention.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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