clout

[klout]

noun

1. a blow, especially with the hand; cuff.

   The bully gave him a painful clout on the head.

2. Informal.,  pull; strong influence; muscle, especially political power.

   a wealthy campaign contributor with clout at city hall.

3. Baseball.,  a long hit, especially an extra-base hit.

   A hard clout to deep center field drove in the winning run.

4. Archery.

   1. the mark or target shot at, especially in long-distance shooting.

   2. a shot that hits the mark.

5. Also called clout nail. a nail for attaching sheet metal to wood, having a short shank with a broad head.

6. Archaic.

   1. a patch or piece of cloth or other material used to mend something.

   2. any worthless piece of cloth; rag.

   3. an article of clothing (usually used contemptuously).

verb (used with object)

1. to strike, especially with the hand; cuff.

2. Archaic.

   1. to bandage.

   2. to patch; mend.

clout

/ klaʊt /

noun

1. informal,  a blow with the hand or a hard object

2. power or influence, esp in politics

3. archery

   1. the target used in long-distance shooting

   2. the centre of this target

   3. a shot that hits the centre

4. Also called: clout nail. a short, flat-headed nail used esp for attaching sheet metal to wood

5. dialect

   1. a piece of cloth

      a dish clout

   2. a garment

   3. a patch

verb

1. informal,  to give a hard blow to, esp with the hand

2. to patch with a piece of cloth or leather

Other Word Forms

• clouter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clout¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English clūt “piece of cloth or metal”; cognate with Middle Low German klūte, Old Norse klūtr

Word History and Origins

Origin of clout¹

Old English clūt piece of metal or cloth, clūtian to patch (C14: to strike with the hand); related to Dutch kluit a lump, and to _clod

Example Sentences

The novel then winds through Lola’s year after that: her initial rejection of internet fame before chasing internet clout despite knowing that’s what killed her best friend.

From Los Angeles Times

The right-wing ethnonationalist backsliders mobilize electoral support for themselves by vilifying minorities of various kinds, especially those with relatively little power or electoral clout.

From Salon

If Kimmel, with his celebrity, clout and wealth, cannot stand up to this president, what chance do the rest of us have?

From Los Angeles Times

Companies that own TV stations are desperate to make acquisition or merger deals so they can compete with the clout of tech companies.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’m seeing an FBI leadership more focused on social media clout and on political revenge than on fighting crime,” he said to Patel.

From Salon

Related Words

• influence 
• prestige 
• sway 
• weight 

When To Use

What else does clout mean?

To have clout is to have influence or power. In popular culture, people with clout are seen as popular and cool.