influence
gb/ˈɪnfluəns/ us/ˈɪnfluəns/
B1
English
~ 1600
befolyás, hatás, befolyásol, hatással van, befolyásoló tényező
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] has influence over [someone/something]
Her speech had a big influence on the audience.
A beszéde nagy hatással volt a közönségre.
Social media has a strong influence on young people today.
A közösségi média manapság erős hatással van a fiatalokra.
He used his influence to help his friend get the job.
Learner examples
My teacher has a big influence on me.
A tanárom nagy hatással van rám.
TV can have a strong influence on children.
A tévé erős hatással lehet a gyerekekre.
He has influence over the team.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'influence' (power to affect) with 'control' (complete power over), but influence does not mean total control.
Meaning
Power to affect others
Collocations
have influence
|use influence
|wield influence
|political influence
|influence over
Synonyms
impact (Often refers to a strong or noticeable effect, sometimes physical or measurable.)
|
authority (Implies recognized power or control, often official.)
Antonyms
powerlessness (The complete lack of ability to affect others or events.)
|
impotence (Lack of power or effectiveness in influencing outcomes.)
Themes
society
|business
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The power to change how someone thinks or acts, or how something develops.
The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
VERB
B1
2
befolyásol
B2
hatással van
B1
Usage pattern:
to influence [someone/something] to [do something]
Her kindness influenced me to volunteer.
A kedvessége hatására kezdtem el önkénteskedni.
The weather can influence our mood.
Az időjárás befolyásolhatja a hangulatunkat.
He influenced the committee's final decision.
Learner examples
My parents influenced my career choice.
A szüleim befolyásolták a pályaválasztásomat.
The movie influenced me a lot.
A film nagy hatással volt rám.
A bad friend can influence you in a bad way.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'influence on' incorrectly with the verb form; correct is 'influence someone/something', not 'influence on someone'.
Meaning
To affect someone's actions or thoughts
Collocations
influence decision
|influence opinion
|influence outcome
|influence policy
Synonyms
affect (A very general term for causing a change, not necessarily intentional.)
|
persuade (Implies convincing someone through reasoning or argument, often more active than 'influence'.)
Antonyms
discourage (To try to prevent someone from doing something, which can counteract influence.)
|
deter (To stop someone from acting by making them afraid or doubtful.)
Themes
society
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To change how someone thinks or acts, or how something develops.
To have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
NOUN
B1
3
My grandfather was a big influence in my life.
A nagyapám nagy hatással volt az életemre.
She is a positive influence on her classmates.
Jó hatással van az osztálytársaira.
The book was an important influence on his thinking.
Learner examples
My mother is a big influence in my life.
Az édesanyám nagy hatással van az életemre.
He is a bad influence on his friends.
Rossz hatással van a barátaira.
That teacher is a good influence for students.
Meaning
Person/thing affecting others
Collocations
a major influence
|a positive influence
|a bad influence
Synonyms
role model (Someone whose behavior is seen as a good example to follow.)
|
force (Something that causes change or has an impact, but more general than 'influence'.)
Antonyms
nonentity (A person without any special qualities or ability to affect others.)
Themes
relationships
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that changes how people think or act.
A person or thing with the capacity to affect the character, development, or behavior of someone or something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
influence
IPA
GB/ˈɪnfluəns/
US/ˈɪnfluəns/
Syllables & stress
in - flu - ence (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: influence
- Plural: influence, influences
Verb
- Base: influence
- 3rd Person Singular: influences
- Present Participle: influencing
- Past: influenced
Word family
Forms
influences
noun
influencing
verb
influenced
verb
Core family
influential
adjective B2
Related words
influencer
noun B2
influentially
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
uninfluential
adjective
Expressions
a bad influence
1/ə bˈæd ˈɪnfluəns/
fixed phrase
Person/thing causing harm to behavior
Someone or something that makes people behave in a worse way.
Examples
- That group of friends is a bad influence on him.
- Violent games can be a bad influence on children.
under the influence
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə ˈɪnfluəns/
fixed phrase
Affected by alcohol/drugs
Having drunk alcohol or taken drugs so that it changes how you act or think.
Examples
- He was arrested for driving under the influence.
- She was clearly under the influence during the meeting.
use one's influence
1/jˈuz wˈʌnz ˈɪnfluəns/
fixed phrase
Employ power to affect outcomes
To try to make things happen by using your power to change opinions or decisions.
Examples
- She used her influence to get him an interview.
- The senator used his influence to push the bill forward.
wield influence
1/wˈild ˈɪnfluəns/
fixed phrase
formal
Exercise power over others' actions
To have and use the power to change what people think or do.
Examples
- Business leaders wield great influence over policy.
- He wields considerable influence in the art world.