noun / verb
influence
IN-floo-uhns/ˈɪnfluəns/
The power to shape or affect someone or something, or the use of that power.
Her advice has a strong influence on my career choices.
Etymology
The image of “flowing into” originally described an unseen power streaming from the stars and affecting human destiny. This became a term for the unseen power people exert over others’ actions and decisions.
In context
Positive influence can have an incredible effect on your life, but so can negative influence. Both will take you somewhere, but only one will take you in the direction you truly wish to go.
More examples
- He uses his influence to get the project approved.
- Prices influence what we buy at the grocery store.
- Her grandfather's stories influenced her writing.
Forms
influence · influences · influenced · influencing
influential adjective — Having significant power to shape outcomes.