ENGLISH
REFERENCE

influential

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˌɪnfɫuˈɛnʃəɫ// UK //ˌɪnfluːˈɛnʃəl// in·flu·en·tial

adj. having the power to change how other people think or how things happen. You use this to describe someone or something that has a big effect on the world.

adj. having a significant impact on the actions, behavior, or opinions of others. Often used to describe figures in academia, politics, or the arts whose work shapes the direction of their field.


SIMPLE

She is one of the most influential people in the tech industry.

CONTEXTUAL

The professor's early research proved highly influential, leading to a complete shift in how the disease is treated today.

COMPLEX

While the book was not a commercial success upon its initial release, it became deeply influential among later generations of writers who sought to emulate its unique narrative structure.

Antonyms
Origin

From Medieval Latin īnfluentiālis, from īnfluentia + -ālis. By surface analysis, influence + -ial.

Usage

Typically used with the preposition 'in' when describing a field of impact, or 'on' when describing the target of the influence.

Pitfall

He is very influenceHe is very influentialLearners often use the noun 'influence' where the adjective 'influential' is required to describe a person's character or status.

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