Influence Definition
ĭnflo͝o-əns
influenced, influences, influencing
noun
influences
The flowing of an ethereal fluid or power from the stars, affecting people's character and actions.
Webster's New World
The power of persons or things to affect others, seen only in its effects.
Webster's New World
The ability of a person or group to produce effects indirectly by means of power based on wealth, high position, etc.
Webster's New World
The action or effect of such power.
Webster's New World
A determining factor believed by some to affect individual tendencies and characteristics understood to be caused by the positions of the stars and planets at the time of one's birth.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
influenced, influences, influencing
To exert or have influence on; have an effect on the nature, behavior, development, action, or thought of.
Webster's New World
To change the behavior or thinking of (someone); sway.
Negative ads that are intended to influence voters.
American Heritage
idiom
under the influence
- Intoxicated, especially with alcohol.
American Heritage
under the influence
- (while) having one's judgment, motor skills, etc. affected by the use of alcohol or a drug
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Influence
Origin of Influence
-
Middle English from Old French from Medieval Latin īnfluentia influx from Latin īnfluēns īnfluent- present participle of īnfluere to flow in in- in in–2 fluere to flow bhleu- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
-
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”).
From Wiktionary
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