influential
gb/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/ us/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/
B2
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
having power to affect others
Having strong power to change what other people think or do, or how things happen.
Usage pattern:
an influential [person/thing] in [area]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'influential' with the verb 'influence'. 'Influential' is an adjective and must describe a noun, as in 'an influential leader', not 'he influential me'. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition: we usually say 'influential in doing something' or 'influential in [area]', for example, 'She was influential in changing the law', rather than 'influential on changing the law'.
Synonyms
powerful (Often suggests formal power or control; 'influential' can be softer and more about ideas or respect than direct power.)
|
persuasive (Focuses on the ability to convince others in a particular situation, while 'influential' is more general and long-term.)
Antonyms
powerless (Describes someone who has no ability to change a situation, the opposite of having influence.)
|
insignificant (Describes someone or something that has little importance or effect, unlike something influential.)
Collocations
highly influential
|an influential figure
|an influential leader
|an influential voice
|influential role
|influential in shaping
Themes
society
|politics
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is one of the most influential scientists in her field.
- The report was highly influential in changing government policy.
- His early work proved influential on a whole generation of filmmakers.
- Social media has become an influential force in modern politics.
- The magazine named her an influential voice in climate activism.
Learner examples
- Her teacher was very influential in her life.
- That book was influential in my choice of career.
- He is an influential leader in the company.
- The movie was influential and changed how people see the issue.
- Young people can be very influential on each other.
Grammar
Dictionary form
influential
IPA
GB/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/
US/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/
Syllables & stress
in - flu - en - tial (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (en)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: influential
Word family
Core family
influence
noun B1
Related words
influencer
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
uninfluential
adjective
Advanced or less common
influentially
adverb
Expressions
an influential figure
1/ən ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl fˈɪɡjɚ/
fixed phrase
a person with much influence
A person who has a lot of influence in a group, field, or society.
Examples
- She became an influential figure in international education.
- He was an influential figure in the civil rights movement.
an influential voice
1/ən ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl vˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
a person whose opinions matter
A person or group whose opinions many people listen to and follow.
Examples
- The organization is an influential voice on health policy.
- She is an influential voice for young artists.
highly influential
1/hˈaɪli ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/
fixed phrase
having very strong influence
Having a very big level of influence; affecting people or events a lot.
Examples
- It was a highly influential study in the field of psychology.
- Her blog is highly influential among young voters.