influential
/ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-(ˌ)flü-ˈen(t)-shəl/ (ame, mw)
influential — adjective
- influentialpositive
- more influentialcomparative
- most influentialsuperlative
1. having the power or ability to shape what people think or do, or to change the w
having the power or ability to shape what people think or do, or to change the way events develop — for example, an influential politician who shifts public opinion, or a book whose ideas change how a generation sees the world.
Baraka is one of the most influential poets in modern Japanese literature.
one of the most influential + [plural noun] in [field]
Professor Élise's work on ocean acidification has been highly influential among marine biologists.
highly influential among [group]
Sofia became an influential voice on school policy after rewriting the district's reading programme.
The influential members of the club pushed the rest to adopt a stricter safety code.
- powerful
broader than 'influential'; can refer to physical strength, force, or control, not just the ability to shape opinions
- authoritative
implies recognised expertise that others trust and follow, often in academic or professional contexts
- significant
focuses on importance or meaning rather than the direct shaping of people's actions or beliefs
- unimportant
having no significance or effect on others
- powerless
lacking any ability to affect outcomes or decisions
文法句型
be influential
become / remain / prove influential
influential + noun
influential in + noun / verb-ing
用法筆記
Frequently used with intensifiers such as 'highly', 'very', or 'most'; also common in the superlative form ('the most influential').
常見錯誤
influential — noun
1. a person who has great power to shape events, decisions, or what other people th
a person who has great power to shape events, decisions, or what other people think — often used in formal or academic writing about politics, business, or culture.
As an influential in environmental policy, Ziad was asked to advise the United Nations committee.
an influential in [domain]
The magazine ranked Indra among the top thirty influentials in Asian technology.
A small group of policy influentials met in secret to shape the new trade agreement.
Théo was once an influential on the city planning board before his retirement.
Iris quickly became one of the most respected influentials in the fashion industry.
- power broker
more specific — refers to someone who uses political or economic power to influence decisions, often behind the scenes
- authority
implies formal expertise or recognised standing in a field rather than direct influence over people or events
文法句型
an influential in [domain]
the influentials in [domain]
用法筆記
The noun form is far less common than the adjective. It is used mainly in formal, journalistic, or academic contexts. The plural 'influentials' is more frequent than the singular 'an influential'.