influential

Sayin-floo-EN-shuhlUS/ˌɪnfluˈɛnʃəl/AUS/ˌɪnflʉˈenʃəl/UKin-fluu-EN-shuhl/ɪnflʊˈɛnʃəl/

Noun pluralinfluentials

2 meanings of influential

1
adjective
Having the power to affect how people think, behave, or make decisions.
Like a magnet that quietly pulls nearby objects toward it.
The critic's review was influential enough to fill every showing for weeks.
Among the most influential thinkers of the century, she reshaped economic theory.
Similarpowerful, important, significant, leading, prominent
Oppositeunimportant, insignificant, powerless, minor
2
nouncountable
A person who holds the power to affect what others think, choose, or do.
Like a hub that everyone in a network connects through.
The committee invited several influentials to advise on the new policy.
He grew into a major influential within the party over a single decade.
Similarnotable, heavyweight

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Origin

From Medieval Latin īnfluentiālis, formed from īnfluentia plus the suffix -ālis. By surface analysis, it can be read as influence + -ial.