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
Cite this Entry
“Influencer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/influencer. Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.
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