noun

shout-out

SHOWT-owt

Shout-out (noun) means a brief public expression of thanks, praise or greeting to a named person or group. Example: “Big shout-out to the crew who set the stage up overnight.”

noun

informal A brief public expression of thanks, praise or greeting to a named person or group.

"Big shout-out to the crew who set the stage up overnight."

"She gave her old teacher a shout-out in the acceptance speech."

internet slang A mention of someone's social media account or business by another user, intended to send followers or custom their way.

"A shout-out from an account that size can double your followers overnight."

verb

informal To publicly mention or credit someone.

"He shouted out every one of the volunteers by name."

How to use shout-out

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPublicly mentioning someone to thank or promote them.

When to use it

Informal; at home in speech, broadcasting, music and social media, less so in formal prose.

Memory tip

Note that call-out is nearly the opposite: it means naming someone to criticise them.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

shoutout shout down call-out

Common pairings

give a shout-out a big shout-out to special shout-out shout-out on my story

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Big _____ to the crew who set the stage up overnight.

Etymology

Deverbal from shout out.

Synonyms

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mention credit acknowledgement plug tribute promo tag acknowledge

Related words

say name thank response credit commercial accept protection

Rhymes for shout-out

out tout bout gout lout pout rout about trout spout clout grout

See all rhymes for shout-out →

Frequently asked questions

Is it shout-out, shoutout or shout out?

All three are in use. The hyphenated shout-out is the safest for the noun in edited writing, shoutout is common online and increasingly accepted, and shout out as two words works best when it is a verb followed by an object: shout out the winners.

What is the difference between a shout-out and a plug?

A shout-out is usually a warm personal mention, given freely to thank or greet someone. A plug is straightforwardly promotional and is often paid for or traded. A shout-out for a business is effectively a plug wearing friendlier clothes.

How do you ask for a shout-out?

Say what you want mentioned, why it fits their audience and what they get in return, and keep it to a couple of sentences. Small creators often trade them directly, an arrangement abbreviated online as SFS or S4S.

What is the meaning of shout-out?

"shout-out" (noun) means a brief public expression of thanks, praise or greeting to a named person or group.

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