First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1clout
noun \ˈklau̇t\
: the power to influence or control situations
: a hit especially with the hand
Full Definition of CLOUT
1
dial chiefly British : a piece of cloth or leather : rag
2
: a blow especially with the hand; also : a hard hit in baseball
3
: a white cloth on a stake or frame used as a target in archery
See clout defined for English-language learners
See clout defined for kids
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Origin of CLOUT
Middle English, from Old English clūt; akin to Middle High German klōz lump, Russian gluda
Related to CLOUT
- Synonyms
- bang, bash, bat, beat, belt, biff, bop, box, buffet, bust, chop, clap, clip, 1blow, crack, cuff, dab, douse [British], fillip, hack, haymaker, hit, hook, knock, larrup [dialect], lash, lick, pelt, pick, plump, poke, pound, punch, rap, slam, slap, slug, smack, smash, sock, spank, stinger, stripe, stroke, swat, swipe, switch, thud, thump, thwack, wallop, welt, whack, wham, whop (also whap)
2clout
verb
baseball : to hit (the ball) very hard
: to hit (someone or something) hard especially with your hand
Full Definition of CLOUT
transitive verb
1
: to cover or patch with a clout
2
: to hit forcefully
See clout defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CLOUT
14th century
CLOUT Defined for Kids
1clout
noun \ˈklau̇t\
Definition of CLOUT for Kids
1
: a hit especially with the hand
2
: the power to influence or control situations
2clout
verb
clout·edclout·ing
Definition of CLOUT for Kids
: to hit hard
Learn More About CLOUT
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