CLOUT meaning: 1. to hit someone or something with the hand or with a heavy object: 2. If you clout a ball, such…. Learn more. Clout can mean a blow, a patch, a piece of cloth, or influence and power. Learn how to use clout in different contexts, such as baseball, archery, and politics, with synonyms and examples. The slang sense of clout refers to attention, fame, popularity, and sometimes notoriety, especially the kind one may achieve on social media, whether by posting a controversial hot take or performing a stunt on video in the hope that it goes viral. The noun 'clout' has an interesting etymology. Its origins can be traced back to the Old English word 'clūt,' which referred to a patch or piece of cloth used for mending. Over time, this term took on a metaphorical meaning related to mending or repairing one's reputation or influence. By the late Middle Ages, 'clout' had evolved to mean a blow or strike, which was often used figuratively to represent the impact or force one could exert, both in physical and metaphorical senses. In its ...
