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

Myers spoke on a panel at SXSW in March about life as an influencer navigating mental health. —David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026

Aside from her work at the coffee shop, Iaconetti works as a social media influencer, sharing content about beauty and mom life. —Catherine Messier, The Providence Journal, 1 Apr. 2026

Conservative influencer Isabel Brown has alleged that The View refused her request to appear on the talk show to defend herself after the cohosts slammed her on the air over the 28-year-old's recent remarks about motherhood. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Apr. 2026

At lunch, Bilynskyj sat with a small group of right-wing Brazilian legislators, officials and influencers, all opponents of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s leftist government. —Max Saltman, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 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