English Reference

Word

influencer

Phoneticsin·flu·encer

/ˈɪnfluənsəɹ/

Countable noun Internet

Definition

n. a person who uses social media to share their opinions and lifestyle with a large audience. Because many people follow them, they can affect what their followers buy or believe.

n. a person who leverages their social media presence and large following to affect the purchasing decisions or opinions of others. Often used in the context of digital marketing and brand partnerships.

Examples

“The influencer posted a video about her favorite skincare products.”

“Many brands now prefer to work with a niche influencer rather than a traditional celebrity to reach a specific target audience.”

“The rise of the digital influencer has fundamentally shifted the advertising landscape, moving the focus from mass-market television commercials to highly personalized, algorithm-driven social media endorsements.”

Examples

simple

“The influencer posted a video about her favorite skincare products.”

contextual

“Many brands now prefer to work with a niche influencer rather than a traditional celebrity to reach a specific target audience.”

complex

“The rise of the digital influencer has fundamentally shifted the advertising landscape, moving the focus from mass-market television commercials to highly personalized, algorithm-driven social media endorsements.”

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “influencer” in context.

Verb

01. follow influencer

“Millions of teenagers follow the influencer for fashion advice.”

verb + noun

02. hire influencer

“Brands often hire influencers to reach a younger demographic.”

verb + noun

03. influencer collaborates with

“The influencer collaborates with various makeup companies on new collections.”

noun + verb + prep

04. influencer posts

“The influencer posts daily updates about her morning routine.”

noun + verb

05. influencer promotes

“The influencer promotes sustainable clothing brands to her audience.”

noun + verb

Adjective

06. digital influencer

“Digital influencers are now a key part of modern marketing strategies.”

adj + noun

07. lifestyle influencer

“He is a popular lifestyle influencer who posts about fitness and healthy eating.”

adj + noun

08. paid influencer

“The company was criticized for not disclosing that they used paid influencers.”

adj + noun

Noun

09. network of influencers

“The agency manages a vast network of influencers across different platforms.”

noun + prep + noun

10. become a prominent influencer

“She worked hard for years to become a prominent influencer in the tech space.”

11. impact of social media influencers

“Studies show the significant impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior.”

12. reach out to influencers

“Small businesses should reach out to influencers to increase brand awareness.”

Usage

Often used as a modifier in compound nouns like 'influencer marketing' or 'influencer culture'.

Real-World Examples

“Four years ago, she was an art influencer with 200,000 social media followers.”
The New York Times 10 Oct 2026
“Actresses Rachel Sennott and Kristen Bell are among the celebrities who have spoken publicly about taking beta blockers, along with the influencer Khloé Kardashian.”
BBC News 18 Aug 2026
“Lexi Vrachalus, 20, from Alabama, is a wellness influencer with 171,000 Instagram followers.”
The New York Times 27 Mar 2026
“Influencers like Lil’ Miquela and Mia Zelu have millions of followers and generate serious income, despite being created with artificial intelligence.”
The New York Times 3 Sept 2025

Etymology

From influence + -er.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synonyms

tastemaker

Antonyms

Related words

Domain

Internet

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Occasional
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

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