1. A power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc
   "used her parents' influence to get the job"
    
2. A cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do
   "her wishes had a great influence on his thinking"
    
3. Causing something without any direct or apparent effort
   "Her quiet influence on the committee's decision was significant"
    
4. The effect of one thing (or person) on another
   "the influence of mechanical action"
    
5. One having power to influence another
   "she was the most important influence in my life"; "he was a bad influence on the children"

1. Have and exert influence or effect
   "The artist's work influenced the young painter";
   - act upon, work
    
2. Give direction to; be an influence on
   "experience often influences ability";
   - determine, shape, mold [N. Amer], regulate, mould [Brit, Cdn]
    
3. Induce into action by using one's charm
   "She influenced him into giving her all his money";
   - charm, tempt

Derived forms: influences, influencing, influenced

See also: act

Type of: affect, bear on, bear upon, causal factor, causation, cause, consequence, determinant, determinative, determiner, determining factor, do, effect, engender, event, force, impact, issue, make, outcome, persuade, power, powerfulness, result, upshot

Encyclopedia: Influence