influencer

[ in-floo-uhn-ser ]

noun

1. a person or thing that influences:

   The most powerful influencer of beliefs is direct experience.

2. a person who has the power to influence many people, as through social media or traditional media:

   Companies look for Facebook influencers who can promote their brand.

Word History and Origins

Origin of influencer¹

First recorded in 1660–70; influence ( def ) + -er ¹( def )

Example Sentences

The contest's first season saw 10 influencers locked in a house for a week as they battled for a prize with up to £1m.

From BBC

A London-born teenager nicknamed "God's influencer" for his online skills will be made a saint in April.

From BBC

Logan Paul, one of the biggest social media influencers in the world, is facing criticism for his role in promoting cryptocurrency projects.

From BBC

The Trump administration will villainize those artists, educators, influencers and writers who are fearless enough to acknowledge that this election was the calculated outcome of a strategy to hand America over to its wealthiest few.

From Salon

It also highlights her brief time in prison and her successful pivot to rebrand herself as a savvy elder influencer who pals around with hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bellwether
• tastemaker