VocabDictionary

opinion leader

/əˈpɪn.jən ˈliː.dɚ/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

A well-known individual or organization that has the ability to influence the attitudes, beliefs, and purchasing decisions of a larger group of people.

Example Sentences:
  • Tech bloggers are major opinion leaders in the adoption of new consumer gadgets.
  • The marketing campaign focused heavily on reaching key opinion leaders within the medical community.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “opinion leader”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term emerged in the mid-20th century, specifically popularized by sociologists Paul Lazarsfeld, Bernard Berelson, and Hazel Gaudet in their 1944 study 'The People's Choice,' which investigated voting behavior and the role of interpersonal influence in mass communication (the 'two-step flow of communication' model).

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of someone whose *opinion* others *lead* their thoughts by; they are at the front of the pack when it comes to ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions About “opinion leader

1. What is the meaning of “opinion leader” in English?

In English, opinion leader (noun) is defined as: “A well-known individual or organization that has the ability to influence the attitudes, beliefs, and purchasing decisions of a larger group of people.”.

2. How do you use “opinion leader” in a sentence?

Tech bloggers are major opinion leaders in the adoption of new consumer gadgets.

3. What are English synonyms of “opinion leader”?

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “opinion leader”?

The term emerged in the mid-20th century, specifically popularized by sociologists Paul Lazarsfeld, Bernard Berelson, and Hazel Gaudet in their 1944 study 'The People's Choice,' which investigated voting behavior and the role of interpersonal influence in mass communication (the 'two-step flow of communication' model).