clout
KLOUT
/klaʊt/
Influence or power, especially in politics or business.
A more colloquial, practical term for influence; often earned through connections, wealth, or reputation rather than formal office.
The story behind the word. Originally, a 'clout' was a heavy lump of metal, a patch of cloth, or a heavy blow with the hand. In 20th-century American politics (particularly in Chicago), the term shifted metaphorically to mean political 'punch' or influence—the power to get things done.
Word relationships
- influence: Influence is a general term for the capacity to affect others, whereas clout is a punchier, more informal term that implies heavy, practical leverage.
- powerlessness: Powerlessness is having no ability to affect outcomes, whereas clout is having significant leverage.
Commonly confused with
- clout (verb): As a verb, 'clout' historically means to hit someone hard with the hand, whereas the noun 'clout' in modern English almost always refers to political or social influence.
Word family
- clout (verb): To hit hard (archaic/informal) or to influence.
Collocations
- political clout
- financial clout
- wield clout
- have clout
Example sentences
- "He had the kind of political clout that could make or break a career." Journalism
- "The young senator used her political clout to pass the environmental bill." Business
Memory hook
If you have CLOUT, you can deliver a heavy blow (clout) to your opponents in an argument. A heavy punch of political influence.
When not to use
Do not use in formal legal documents or treaties (use 'authority' or 'sovereignty' instead).
Fun facts
- The political meaning of 'clout' originated in Chicago politics in the mid-20th century, where it referred to having the 'pull' or connections to secure city jobs or favors.
Related words
Also appears in
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.