CLOUT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clout mean? 

• CLOUT (noun)
  The noun CLOUT has 4 senses:

1. a target used in archery

2. special advantage or influence

3. a short nail with a flat head; used to attach sheet metal to wood

4. (boxing) a blow with the fist

  Familiarity information: CLOUT used as a noun is uncommon.

• CLOUT (verb)
  The verb CLOUT has 1 sense:

1. strike hard, especially with the fist

  Familiarity information: CLOUT used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLOUT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A target used in archery

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("clout" is a kind of...):

mark; target (a reference point to shoot at)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Special advantage or influence

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

clout; pull

Context example:

the chairman's nephew has a lot of pull

Hypernyms ("clout" is a kind of...):

advantage; vantage (the quality of having a superior or more favorable position)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A short nail with a flat head; used to attach sheet metal to wood

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

clout; clout nail

Hypernyms ("clout" is a kind of...):

nail (a thin pointed piece of metal that is hammered into materials as a fastener)

Sense 4

Meaning:

(boxing) a blow with the fist

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

biff; clout; lick; poke; punch; slug

Context example:

I gave him a clout on his nose

Hypernyms ("clout" is a kind of...):

blow (a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon)

Domain category:

boxing; fisticuffs; pugilism (fighting with the fists)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "clout"):

counter; counterpunch; parry (a return punch (especially by a boxer))

haymaker; knockout punch; KO punch; Sunday punch (a hard punch that renders the opponent unable to continue boxing)

hook (a short swinging punch delivered from the side with the elbow bent)

jab (a quick short straight punch)

rabbit punch (a short chopping blow to the back of the neck)

sucker punch (an unexpected punch)

Derivation:

clout (strike hard, especially with the fist)

• CLOUT (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they clout    ... he / she / it clouts   
Past simple: clouted   
Past participle: clouted   
-ing form: clouting   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Strike hard, especially with the fist

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

He clouted his attacker

Hypernyms (to "clout" is one way to...):

strike (deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to clout his opponent

Derivation:

clout ((boxing) a blow with the fist)

 Context examples 

This will give you clout you’ve rarely enjoyed.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

“Nay, there you are wide of the clout,” the bowman said gravely.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Grey Beaver clouted him right and left to make him get up and follow.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

With this kind of planetary clout, you should push forward with vigor this month.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

“Even an old broken bowman might find the clout with a bow like this.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

For behind any wish of theirs was power to enforce that wish, power that hurt, power that expressed itself in clouts and clubs, in flying stones and stinging lashes of whips.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Eclipses are dramatic events that have a great deal of clout and a longer period of influence than a regular new or full moon.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Clap in the clout, by God! though a hand's-breadth lower than I had meant.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The cub received a clout on the other side of his head.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

This is great for you, as you are the only sign being given this level of professional clout in January.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)