influencer

noun

in·​flu·​enc·​er ˈin-ˌflü-ən(t)-sər 

especially Southern in-ˈflü-

plural influencers

: one who exerts influence : a person who inspires or guides the actions of others

The old theme of laziness and mellowness runs counter to today's influencers, who are businesspeople and upscale inspirational promoters of a go-getter way of life.

—John C. Dvorak

often, specifically : a person who is able to generate interest in something (such as a consumer product) by posting about it on social media

An influencer can write a holiday recipe, sponsored by a food brand, and that content and the associated brand awareness will still resonate with audiences in a year's time.

—Danielle Wiley

While Linh and other elite influencers are usually personally invited by hotel brands, an onslaught of lesser-known wannabes has left hotels scrambling to deal with a deluge of requests for all-expense-paid vacations in exchange for some social media posts.

—Taylor Lorenz

The woman who's been called the "future of fashion" has advice for aspiring Instagram influencers: Stop with the staged photos posing with croissants or balloons against a beautiful backdrop.

—Alix Langone

Examples of influencer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The feature debut from writer-director Graham Parkes is also one of three films at the fest to feature comedy star Kate Berlant, here in a double role as unnerving twin couples-therapy influencers. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Feimster plays a caddie; Wilson a rival golfer; Parnell a PGA Tour official; Tarver the influencer fiancée of Tatro’s Lance; and Hornsby a wealthy man who’s now dating Stacy. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 2026

Randall Snare, United States, 2026, WORLD PREMIERE The comments on a reluctant influencer’s first viral dance video overflow with people claiming to lose their bodies after watching it. —Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 11 Mar. 2026

But the influencer landscape is getting debased and splintered and a bit draining, even for Kylie. —Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1662, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

influencer

noun

in·​flu·​enc·​er

: one who exerts influence : a person who inspires or guides the actions of others