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clout — influence or power, especially in politics or business

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: influence or power, especially in politics or business

Pronunciation (IPA): /klaʊt/

Example Sentences

  • The CEO's clout was so strong that even competitors listened to his advice.
  • My grandma may be small, but she has serious clout in our family - nobody dares to skip Sunday dinner!
  • The angry mother gave her misbehaving son a clout on the back of his head.

clout

NOUN

[/klaʊt/]

influence or power, especially in politics or business

The senator's clout silenced the entire chamber with a single raised hand.
💡 Concept

The senator's clout silenced the entire chamber with a single raised hand.

CLOUT (a heavy blow) — by delivering a metaphorical heavy CLOUT (blow) to the opposition's argument, the senator proved her political clout.
🧠 Mnemonic

CLOUT (a heavy blow) — by delivering a metaphorical heavy CLOUT (blow) to the opposition's argument, the senator proved her political clout.

Overcoming every initial doubt with a powerful, confident shout, the leader demonstrated his undeniable clout.
🎵 Rhyme

Overcoming every initial doubt with a powerful, confident shout, the leader demonstrated his undeniable clout.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/klaʊt/
🇬🇧 UK/klaʊt/

🌳Etymology

Rootclout

Origin

From Old English 'clut' meaning a piece of cloth or lump, related to Old Norse 'klútr'. The sense of 'influence or power' developed metaphorically from the idea of a heavy blow or strike, then to striking force and authority.

Breakdown

clout (single morpheme) - originally meant a cloth patch or lump, later evolved to mean a heavy blow, and then figuratively to mean power or influence

🎵Rhyme

doubt
shout
route
bout

🔗Collocations

political clout
have clout
economic clout
wield clout
clout around the ear
lose one's clout

📝Examples

“The CEO's clout was so strong that even competitors listened to his advice.”

😄 Fun example

“My grandma may be small, but she has serious clout in our family - nobody dares to skip Sunday dinner!”

“The angry mother gave her misbehaving son a clout on the back of his head.”

“His social media clout helped him get free products from dozens of brands.”

📚Related Words

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