How to pronounce influence
Say it like IN-floo-uns. Influence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce influence. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- IN
- floo
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Influence pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- INSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- flooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of influence
American and British speakers say influence in essentially the same way: /ˈɪnfluəns/ in the US and /ˈɪnfluəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: IN-floo-uns.
What does influence mean?
- a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc“used her parents' influence to get the job”
- causing something without any direct or apparent effort
- a cognitive factor that tends to have an effect on what you do“her wishes had a great influence on his thinking”
- have and exert influence or effect“The artist's work influenced the young painter”“She worked on her friends to support the political candidate”
- shape or influence; give direction to“experience often determines ability”“mold public opinion”
- induce into action by using one's charm“She charmed him into giving her all his money”
Where does influence come from?
Inherited from Middle English influence, from Old French influence, borrowed from Medieval Latin īnfluentia, from Latin īnfluēns + -ia.
Questions about saying influence
How do you pronounce influence?
Say IN-floo-uns. The American pronunciation is /ˈɪnfluəns/. In British English it is /ˈɪnfluəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in influence?
Influence has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (IN). Broken into parts: IN · floo · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say influence the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɪnfluəns/ and the British form is /ˈɪnfluəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.