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

In January, the brothers made headlines when a viral video showed the pair partying with influencers Nick Fuentes, Clavicular, Sneako, Myron Gaines and Justin Waller. — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 19 July 2026

The influencers are two of the most controversial figures on the internet today, with legions of fans and detractors. — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 19 July 2026

And Gen Z, which reports lower trust in doctors compared to older generations, is turning to influencers and their peers on social media for medical advice at higher rates. — Rachel Hale, USA Today, 19 July 2026

In many cases, this growth has been fueled by direct-to-consumer marketing, online prescribing systems, wellness communities, and online influencers. — Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 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