Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense influences, present participle influencing, past tense, past participle influenced
1. uncountable noun
Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or do what you want.
I have rather a large influence over a good many people.
He denies exerting any political influence over them. [+ over]
The government should continue to use its influence for the release of all hostages.
Synonyms: control, power, authority, direction More Synonyms of influence
2. verb
If you influence someone, you use your power to make them agree with you or do what you want.
He is trying to improperly influence a witness. [VERB noun]
The angry crowds could influence the government. [VERB noun]
My dad influenced me to do electronics. [VERB noun to-infinitive]
3. countable noun
To have an influenceon people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens.
Van Gogh had a major influence on the development of modern painting. [+ on]
The Shropshire landscape was an influence on Owen too.
Many other medications have an influence on cholesterol levels.
Synonyms: effect, impact, impression, sway More Synonyms of influence
4. verb
If someone or something influences a person or situation, they have an effect on that person's behaviour or that situation.
We became the best of friends and he influenced me deeply. [VERB noun]
What you eat may influence your risk of getting cancer. [VERB noun]
They still influence what's played on the radio. [VERB wh]
Synonyms: affect, have an effect on, have an impact on, control More Synonyms of influence
5. countable noun [usually singular, usually adjective NOUN]
Someone or something that is a good or bad influenceon people has a good or bad effect on them.
I thought Sue would be a good influence on you. [+ on]
6.
See under the influence of
7.
See under the influence
More Synonyms of influence
influence in British English
(ˈɪnflʊəns)
noun
1.
an effect of one person or thing on another
2.
the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
3.
power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
4.
a person or thing having influence
5. astrology
an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
6. under the influence
verb(transitive)
7.
to persuade or induce
8.
to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect
Derived forms
influenceable (ˈinfluenceable)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from Medieval Latin influentia emanation of power from the stars, from Latin influere to flow into, from fluere to flow
influence in American English
(ˈɪnfluəns; ɪnˈfluəns)
noun
1. Astrology
the flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, thought to affect people's character and actions
2.
a.
the power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effects
b.
the action or effect of such power
3.
the ability of a person or group to produce effects indirectly by means of powerbased on wealth, high position, etc.
4.
a person or thing that has influence
5. Electricity
the effect of an external field
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈinfluenced or ˈinfluencing
6.
to exert or have influence on; have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action, or thought of
SIMILAR WORDS: afˈfect
SYNONYMY NOTE: influence implies the power of persons or things (whether or not exerted consciously or overtly)to affect others [he owed his position to influence]; authority implies the power to command acceptance, belief, obedience, etc., based on strengthof character, expertness of knowledge, etc. [a statement made on good authority]; prestige implies the power to command esteem or admiration, based on brilliance of achievementor outstanding superiority; , weight implies influence that is more or less preponderant in its effect [he threw his weight to the opposition]
Word origin
OFr < ML influentia, a flowing in < L influens, prp. of influere, to flow in < -in, in + fluere, to flow: see fluctuate
COBUILD Collocations
influence
calming influence
cultural influence
decisive influence
direct influence
enormous influence
environmental influence
external influence
formative influence
gain influence
growing influence
huge influence
important influence
lasting influence
musical influence
negative influence
outside influence
positive influence
profound influence
retain influence
significant influence
steadying influence
strong influence
undue influence
wield influence
Examples of 'influence' in a sentence
influence
And that this may influence their views.
The Sun (2016)
HERE'S a great lesson in how to win friends and influence people.
The Sun (2016)
This is not to say that lianas are a bad influence on forests overall.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
Until a couple of decades ago it was unacceptable for academics to suggest that anything other than social contexts could influence behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many things influence trade, and not just trade agreements.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
You've got to focus on the thing you can influence and that's the game.
The Sun (2016)
You become more susceptible to manipulation and control and influence.
Christianity Today (2000)
One major influence on the location of planned improvements has been land ownership and inheritance patterns.
Cloke, Paul J (ed) Rural Land-Use Planning in Developed Nations (1989)
Would it help you sell if you could think about people clearly and influence them more?
Hopkins, Tom The Guide to Greatness in Sales (1994)
This air war is likely to be extremely complex and one increasingly influenced by electronic techniques.
Mcinnes, Colin & Sheffield G.D (eds.) Warfare in the Twentieth Century (1988)
Exactly how far that influence stretched is another matter.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
You are less influenced by flattery and promises and disciplined enough to focus on the facts.
The Sun (2008)
The secret payments were allegedly made in an effort to purchase political influence.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
What you learn will substantially influence your future.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This is partly because the office of mayor is chiefly one of influence rather than power.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
These choices are difficult for governments to influence.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You may reflect on motives and influences.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Many factors will influence the operation of planning in a particular locality.
Brindley,Tim & Rydin, Yvonne & Stoker, Gerry Remaking Planning: the politics of urban change in the Thatcher years (1989)
Whether these veiled threats will do much to influence voting behaviour is another matter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You are only one of many influences on your adolescent.
Steinberg, Laurence & Levine, Ann You and Your Adolescent: A Parents' Guide for Ages 10 to 20 (1990)
Similar currents of thought influenced other social sciences.
Garraty, John Arthur The American Nation: A History of the United States to 1877 (1995)
They have a bad influence on you.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is a definite unknown and will continue to influence the share price.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They want to try to keep that under control by influencing the availability of mortgage credit.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The uncommon individual was displaced not only from a position of power but also from a position of influence.
Roper, Jon Democracy and its Critics - Anglo-American democratic thought in the nineteenth century (1989)
Commercial concerns, they argued, had improperly influenced the editorial process.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
influence
British English: influence /ˈɪnflʊəns/ NOUN
Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or make them do what you want.
He used his influence to get his son into medical school.
American English: influence
Arabic: أَثَرُ
Brazilian Portuguese: influência
Chinese: 影响
Croatian: utjecaj
Czech: vliv
Danish: indflydelse
Dutch: invloed
European Spanish: influencia
Finnish: vaikutus
French: influence
German: Einfluss
Greek: επιρροή
Italian: influenza
Japanese: 影響
Korean: 영향
Norwegian: innflytelse
Polish: wpływ
European Portuguese: influência
Romanian: influență
Russian: влияние
Latin American Spanish: influencia
Swedish: inflytande
Thai: อิทธิพล
Turkish: etki nüfuz
Ukrainian: вплив
Vietnamese: ảnh hưởng
British English: influence /ˈɪnflʊəns/ VERB
If you influence someone, you use your power to make them agree with you or do what you want.
My dad influenced me to do electronics.
American English: influence
Arabic: يُؤَثِّرُ فِي
Brazilian Portuguese: influenciar
Chinese: 影响
Croatian: utjecati
Czech: ovlivnit
Danish: påvirke
Dutch: beïnvloeden
European Spanish: influir
Finnish: vaikuttaa
French: influencer
German: beeinflussen
Greek: επηρεάζω
Italian: influenzare
Japanese: 影響を与える
Korean: 영향을 미치다
Norwegian: influere
Polish: wpłynąć
European Portuguese: influenciar
Romanian: a influența
Russian: влиять
Latin American Spanish: influir
Swedish: påverka
Thai: มีอิทธิพล
Turkish: etkilemek nüfuzunu kullanarak
Ukrainian: впливати
Vietnamese: gây ảnh hưởng
All related terms of 'influence'
gain influence
Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or do what you want .
huge influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
undue influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
wield influence
Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or do what you want .
calming influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
cultural influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
decisive influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
direct influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
enormous influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
external influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
growing influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
influence peddling
the use of power or influence on someone else's behalf in return for money or favours
influence policy
A policy is a set of ideas or plans that is used as a basis for making decisions , especially in politics , economics , or business.
lasting influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
musical influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
negative influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
outside influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
positive influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
profound influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
retain influence
Influence is the power to make other people agree with your opinions or do what you want .
strong influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
formative influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
important influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
significant influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
steadying influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
environmental influence
To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens .
influence the outcome
The outcome of an activity, process, or situation is the situation that exists at the end of it.
sphere of influence
A country's sphere of influence is an area of the world where it has a lot of influence.
under the influence
If someone is under the influence , their mind is affected by alcohol or drugs .
influence a generation
A generation is all the people in a group or country who are of a similar age, especially when they are considered as having the same experiences or attitudes .
under the influence of
If you are under the influence of someone or something, you are being affected or controlled by them.
Chinese translation of 'influence'
influence
(ˈɪnfluəns)
n
(c/u) (= power) 权(權)势(勢) (quánshì) (种(種), zhǒng)
(c) (= effect) 影响(響) (yǐngxiǎng) (个(個), gè)
vt
[person, situation, choice]影响(響) (yǐngxiǎng)
to be/have an influence on sb对(對)某人有影响(響) (duì mǒurén yǒu yǐngxiǎng)
to be a good/bad influence on sb对(對)某人有好/坏(壞)的影响(響) (duì mǒurén yǒu hǎo/huài de yǐngxiǎng)
to have a good/bad influence on sb对(對)某人有好/坏(壞)的影响(響) (duì mǒurén yǒu hǎo/huài de yǐngxiǎng)
under the influence of alcohol/drugs在酒精/毒品的作用下 (zài jiǔjīng/dúpǐn de zuòyòng xià)
All related terms of 'influence'
to be/have an influence on sb
对(對)某人有影响(響) duì mǒurén yǒu yǐngxiǎng
to be a good/bad influence on sb
对(對)某人有好/坏(壞)的影响(響) duì mǒurén yǒu hǎo/huài de yǐngxiǎng
under the influence of alcohol/drugs
在酒精/毒品的作用下 zài jiǔjīng/dúpǐn de zuòyòng xià
to have a good/bad influence on sb
对(對)某人有好/坏(壞)的影响(響) duì mǒurén yǒu hǎo/huài de yǐngxiǎng