INFLUENCE(n) 1. effect on something: the effect of something on a person, thing, or event Picasso's influence on the course of 20th-century art 2. power to sway: the power that somebody has to affect other people's thinking or actions by means of argument, example, or force of personality She came under the influence of one of her teachers. 3. special advantage: the power or authority that comes from wealth, social status, or position 4. somebody who can sway another: somebody or something able to affect the course of events or somebody's thinking or action He's a bad influence on you. AFFECT 1. influence somebody or something: to act upon or have an effect on somebody or something 2. stir somebody's emotions: to move somebody emotionally 3. cause somebody to have disease: to infect or harm somebody or something with disease 4. pretend to be something: to give the appearance or pretense of something 5. adopt something: to adopt a use, style, or manner of doing something 6 act like somebody: to imitate somebody else's style or character 7. come to be or have something: to assume a particular form or state affect a liquid state hope that answers your question