influence
the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others: He used family influence to get the contract.
the action or process of producing effects on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others: Her mother's influence made her stay.
a person or thing that exerts influence: He is an influence for the good.
Astrology.
the radiation of an ethereal fluid from the stars, regarded as affecting human actions and destinies.
the exercise of occult power by the stars, or such power as exercised.
the exercise of similar power by human beings.
Obsolete. influx.
Idioms about influence
under the influence, Law. less than drunk but with one's nervous system impaired: He was driving while under the influence.: Also under the influence of intoxicating liquor .
Origin of influence
1Other words for influence
Other words from influence
- in·flu·ence·a·ble, adjective
- in·flu·enc·er, noun
- coun·ter·in·flu·ence, noun, verb (used with object), coun·ter·in·flu·enced, coun·ter·in·flu·enc·ing.
- in·ter·in·flu·ence, verb, in·ter·in·flu·enced, in·ter·in·flu·enc·ing.
- non·in·flu·ence, noun
- out·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), out·in·flu·enced, out·in·flu·enc·ing.
- o·ver·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), o·ver·in·flu·enced, o·ver·in·flu·enc·ing.
- pre·in·flu·ence, noun
- re·in·flu·ence, verb (used with object), re·in·flu·enced, re·in·flu·enc·ing.
- su·per·in·flu·ence, noun, verb (used with object), su·per·in·flu·enced, su·per·in·flu·enc·ing.
- un·in·flu·enced, adjective
- un·in·flu·enc·ing, adjective
Words that may be confused with influence
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for influence
/ (ˈɪnflʊəns) /
an effect of one person or thing on another
the power of a person or thing to have such an effect
power or sway resulting from ability, wealth, position, etc
a person or thing having influence
astrology an ethereal fluid or occult power regarded as emanating from the stars and affecting a person's actions, future, etc
under the influence informal drunk
to persuade or induce
to have an effect upon (actions, events, etc); affect
Origin of influence
1Derived forms of influence
- influenceable, adjective
- influencer, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with influence
see under the influence.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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