# influential

/ˌɪnfɫuˈɛnʃəɫ/ (US) · /ˌɪnfluːˈɛnʃəl/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. having a lot of impact

adjective · CEFR B2

having the power to change how people think or how things happen.

For teachers: having or exerting significant influence; possessing the power to affect the actions, beliefs, or development of others.

- Her teacher was very influential and encouraged her to study science at university.
- The philosopher's early essays remained influential for decades, shaping the political discourse of an entire generation of activists.

Usage: often used to describe people, books, or ideas that change a field of study or society.

### 2. a powerful person

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a person who has the power to affect others, especially in politics or business.

For teachers: an individual who possesses or exerts significant influence within a particular sphere.

- The meeting was attended by several political influentials from across the country.
- The summit brought together a group of global influentials to discuss the economic implications of the new trade treaty.

Usage: usually used in the plural to describe groups of powerful people in society.

Teaching tip: In modern contexts, 'influencer' is much more common for social media; 'influential' as a noun is reserved for formal or academic discussions of power.

## Examples

- She is one of the most influential people in the tech industry.
- The professor's early research proved highly influential, leading to a complete shift in how the disease is treated today.
- 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.

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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.