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noun

lout

lowt

Lout (noun) means a rude, clumsy, or aggressive person, especially a man. Example: “A gang of louts were causing trouble outside the pub.”

noun
1
A rude, clumsy, or aggressive person, especially a man.
"A gang of louts were causing trouble outside the pub."
verb
1
Archaic: to bow or stoop.
"The servant louted low before the king."

How to use lout

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA rough, badly behaved person, often used for troublemaking young men.

Common pairings
drunken lout a gang of louts

Word forms

louted past tense, louted past tense, louts plural, louts singular, louts singular

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Test yourself on “lout” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

A gang of _____ were causing trouble outside the pub.

Etymology

Likely from Old English lutan, "to bow or stoop," which shifted over time to describe a clumsy, uncouth person.

Origin: Old English

Related words

Rhymes for lout

See all rhymes for lout →

Frequently asked questions

What does “lout” mean?

The word “lout” means a rude, clumsy, or aggressive person, especially a man. In plain terms, a rough, badly behaved person, often used for troublemaking young men.

How do you pronounce “lout”?

“Lout” is pronounced lowt (/laʊt/ in IPA).

How do you use “lout” in a sentence?

Here is “lout” used in a sentence: “A gang of louts were causing trouble outside the pub.”

What part of speech is “lout”?

Depending on how it is used, “lout” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “lout” come from?

The word “lout” comes from Old English. Likely from Old English lutan, "to bow or stoop," which shifted over time to describe a clumsy, uncouth person.

How many meanings does “lout” have?

“Lout” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rude, clumsy, or aggressive person, especially a man.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial