INFLUENCE definition: 1. the power to have an effect on people or things, or a person or thing that is able to do this…. Learn more.

Influence is the power to have an important effect on someone or something. If someone influences someone else, they are changing a person or thing in an indirect but important way.

To have an influence on people or situations means to affect what they do or what happens. Van Gogh had a major influence on the development of modern painting.

A power affecting a person, thing, or course of events, especially one that operates without any direct or apparent effort: the pervasive influence that TV has on modern life; young people falling under the influence of a radical philosopher.

influence (countable and uncountable, plural influences) The power to affect, control or manipulate something or someone; the ability to change the development of fluctuating things such as conduct, thoughts or decisions.

Learn the meaning of Influence with clear definitions and helpful usage examples.

"Her quiet influence on the committee's decision was significant " The effect of one thing (or person) on another "the influence of mechanical action " One having power to influence another "she was the most important influence in my life "; "he was a bad influence on the children " Verb: influence in-floo-un (t)s Have and exert influence or effect