Influence

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɪn.flu.É™ns/

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French influence ("emanation from the stars affecting one's fate"), from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, from Latin īnfluēns ("flowing in"), present active participle of īnfluō ("flow into"), from in- ("in-") + fluō ("flow").

Full definition of influence

Noun

1. The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.
• 2013-07-26, Leo Hickman, How algorithms rule the world, The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.
2. I have absolutely no influence over him.
3. An action exerted by a person or thing with such power on another to cause change.
   I'm not able to exercise influence over him.
4. A person or thing exerting such power or action.
• 2013, Katrina G. Claw, Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm, Many genes with reproductive roles also have antibacterial and immune functions, which indicate that the threat of microbial attack on the sperm or egg may be a major influence on rapid evolution during reproduction.
5. He has been a great influence on the voters during the elections.
6. (astrology) An element believed to determine someone's character or individual tendencies, caused by the position of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
7. (obsolete) The action of flowing in; influx.
• HookerGod hath his influence into the very essence of all things.
8. (electricity) Electrostatic induction.

Usage notes

Adjectives often applied to "influence":

cultural, political, social, economic, military, personal, moral, intellectual, mental,

good, bad, positive, negative, beneficial, harmful, huge, big, heavy, significant, important, potential, actual, primary.

Related terms

• influencer
• influent
• influential, influentially
• social influence
• sphere of influence
• under the influence

Verb

1. (transitive) To affect by gentle action; to exert an influence upon; to modify, bias, or sway; to persuade or induce.The politician wants to influence the public.I must admit that this book influenced my outlook on life.
2. (intransitive) To exert, make use of one's influence.
3. (transitive, obsolete) To cause to flow in or into; infuse; instill.

Derived terms

• influenceable
• influencer
• influencive

Related terms

• influent
• influential
• influenza, flu