1 in·flu·ence
Pronounced:
/ˈɪnˌflu:wəns/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural in·flu·encenc·esMeaning:
1 : the power to change or affect someone or something : the power to cause changes without directly forcing them to happen [noncount] ▪ Recent years have seen a decline in the company's influence within the industry. ▪ Her ideas have gradually gained influence in the company. ▪ He used/wielded his influence to reform the company's policies. ▪ She was under the influence of drugs. [=she was affected by drugs] ▪ He came under the influence of new ideas [=he was influenced by new ideas] when he went away to college. ▪ She has remained under the influence of her parents. —often + on, upon, or over ▪ She claims that her personal problems played/had no/little influence upon her decision to resign. ▪ His health problems may have had some influence on his decision. ▪ Her parents still have a great deal of influence over her. ▪ The chairman wields considerable influence over the board's decisions. [singular] ▪ Her parents are concerned that her new friends may have a bad influence on her. ▪ Emily Dickinson has had a major influence on his poetry. ▪ His health problems had a big influence on his decision. ▪ They exert a strong cultural/economic influence over their neighbors in the region.
2 [count] : a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way ▪ My parents have been major influences in my life. ▪ Emily Dickinson has been a major influence on his poetry. ▪ Her parents are concerned that her new friends may be a bad influence on her. ▪ The decision was affected by outside influences.
2 [count] : a person or thing that affects someone or something in an important way ▪ My parents have been major influences in my life. ▪ Emily Dickinson has been a major influence on his poetry. ▪ Her parents are concerned that her new friends may be a bad influence on her. ▪ The decision was affected by outside influences.
under the influence
: affected by alcohol : drunk ▪ He was arrested for driving under the influence.