Clout

Quick meaning: Clout is a noun meaning (informal) Influence or effectiveness, especially political.

Meaning

(informal) Influence or effectiveness, especially political.

More Meanings

1. A blow with the hand.
2. (baseball, informal) A home run.
3. (archery) The center of the butt at which archers shoot; probably once a piece of white cloth or a nail head.
4. A clout nail.
5. (regional, dated) A swaddling cloth.
6. (archaic) A cloth; a piece of cloth or leather; a patch; a rag.
7. (archaic) An iron plate on an axletree or other wood to keep it from wearing; a washer.

Example Sentences

‘Such a clout on the ear as you gave me… But I soon taught you.’

I'm that girl all alone in the crowd / 'Cause all of you's are followers and do it for the clout

[…]ethics officers themselves often complain that they can recommend but have little clout with which to create real change.

The chopped mushrooms add depth to both the Waitrose and the Go-Go Vegan recipe, but what gives the latter some real clout on the flavour front is a teaspoon of Marmite.

Word Forms

• clouts
• clouting
• clouted

Synonyms for clout

Depending on context, synonyms include clout nail.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include clout nail, influence, power, action, prestige, ruling.

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