English Dictionary

Definition of “clout”

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clout (klaʊt)

Definitions

noun

informal a blow with the hand or a hard object
power or influence, esp in politics
archery
1. the target used in long-distance shooting
2. the centre of this target
3. a shot that hits the centre
Also called clout naila short, flat-headed nail used esp for attaching sheet metal to wood
British dialect
1. a piece of cloth ⇒ a dish clout
2. a garment
3. a patch

verb (tr)

informal to give a hard blow to, esp with the hand
to patch with a piece of cloth or leather

Alternative Forms

ˈclouter noun

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry

= hit, strike, punch, deck, slap, sock, chin, smack, thump, cuff, clobber, wallop, box, wham, tonk, lay one on skelp,

= thump, blow, crack, punch, slap, sock, cuff, wallop, tonk, skelp,

= influence, power, standing, authority, pull, weight, bottom, prestige, mana,

Usage examples

`We don't have any clout with the Public Prosecutor, Mike.
MacNeill, Alistair, Alastair McLean's 'Night Watch' (1989)
Due to the clout of their principal party, the Muslim League, Muslims have received many concessions.
India Today (2002)
The lobbying clout of big business on Capitol Hill, where Enron was a multiple benefactor, has been severely diminished.
Irish Times (2002)
Only Princess Diana had the clout to winkle him out for a glittering do in London.
Belfast Telegraph (2004)
BP has used its business clout to persuade the banks into backing low-cost loan schemes.
De Jong, Nicholas (ed), Bedside Guardian 38 (1989)

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