pow‧er‧ful S3 W2 / paʊəf ə l $ paʊr- / 形容词

1 important a powerful person, organization, group etc is able to control and influence events and other people’s actions → powerless :

He was one of the most powerful men in Bohemia.

a very influential and powerful family

rich and powerful nations

2 speech/film etc having a strong effect on someone’s feelings or opinions :

a powerful speech

powerful reasons/arguments (= reasons that make you think that something must be true )

Good teamwork is a powerful tool (= very effective method ) for effective management.

3 feeling/effect a powerful feeling or effect is very strong or great :

Immigrants have had a powerful influence on the local culture.

a powerful sense of tradition

4 machine/weapon etc a powerful machine, engine, weapon etc is very effective and can do a lot :

a new generation of more powerful PCs

a machine that is immensely powerful

a powerful 24-valve engine

a powerful telescope

5 physically strong physically strong :

Jed was a powerful, well-built man.

The females are smaller and less powerful than the males.

6 a lot of force a powerful blow, explosion etc has a lot of force :

an explosion ten times more powerful than the Hiroshima bomb

a powerful right-foot shot on goal

winds powerful enough to uproot trees

7 medicine a powerful medicine or drug has a very strong effect on your body

8 team/army etc a powerful team, army etc is very strong and can easily defeat other teams or armies :

a powerful fighting force

9 quality very strong, bright, loud etc :

a powerful singing voice

the powerful headlights

— powerfully 副词 :

Christie is very powerfully built. → all-powerful

THESAURUS

powerful a powerful person, organization, group etc is able to control and influence events and other people’s actions : the world’s most powerful nation | Parliament had become more powerful than the King. | a powerful political family

influential having a lot of power to influence what happens, because people pay attention to what you say : a highly influential fashion designer | He’s one of the most influential figures in international politics.

strong powerful – used about people or groups in politics who have a lot of supporters : The communists were particularly strong in the big industrial cities. | He is a strong voice in the state assembly.

dominant more powerful than other people, groups, countries etc : She was the dominant force in women’s tennis for many years. | The company has a dominant position in the market.