Words / C1

infl-oo-ENSHL/ˌɪnfluˈenʃl/

Influential means able to shape what others think or do: an influential paper, influential in the field. Influence (already in the dictionary) is the noun/verb. Powerful can be force; influential can be quiet. Do not call a viral meme influential in a literature review without a citation trail.

Meaning

Having a lot of influence on people or events.

Examples

• “An influential blog is still not a peer-reviewed source.”
• “An influential blog still needs a peer-reviewed source beside it in the essay.”
• “She was influential in the rewrite without being loud in the meeting.”

Good to know

Able to shape views or events. Noun/verb: influence. Close: powerful (can be force). Viral ≠ automatically citable.

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