- 1[uncountable, countable] influence (on/upon somebody/something) the effect that someone or something has on the way a person thinks or behaves or on the way that something works or develops to have/exert a strong influence on someone the influence of the climate on agricultural production What exactly is the influence of television on children?
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- 2[uncountable] the power that someone or something has to make someone or something behave in a particular way influence (over somebody/something) Her parents no longer have any real influence over her. influence (with somebody) She could probably exert her influence with the manager and get you a job. He committed the crime under the influence of drugs.
- 3[countable] a person or thing that affects the way a person behaves and thinks cultural influences influence (on somebody/something) Those friends are a bad influence on her. His first music teacher was a major influence in his life. There seem to be several influences at work in (= affecting) his writing. Idioms
having had too much alcohol to drink She was charged with driving under the influence. see DUI
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