# influence

/ˈɪnfɫuəns/ (US) · /ˈɪnfluːəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/influence
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. a person or thing that causes change

noun · CEFR B1

a person or thing that has an effect on others.

For teachers: a person or thing with the capacity or power to affect others, often used to describe a role model or a significant factor.

- My older brother was a positive influence on me when I was growing up.
- The architect cited the brutalist movement as a primary influence on her early residential designs.

## Examples

- My older brother had a big influence on my music taste.
- The new manager's positive influence quickly changed the office atmosphere, making everyone feel more motivated to work together.
- Although the artist denied any direct imitation, critics noted the undeniable influence of classical architecture in the sharp, geometric lines of her latest sculptures.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.