verb
Uncommon
tout
towt
Tout (verb) means to promote or praise something enthusiastically, often to sell it. Example: “The company touted its new product as a breakthrough.”
verb
1
To promote or praise something enthusiastically, often to sell it.
"The company touted its new product as a breakthrough."
"He was touted as the next great quarterback."
noun
1
Someone who aggressively tries to sell something, especially tickets, or someone who gives tips on racehorses.
"Ticket touts were selling seats outside the stadium for triple the price."
How to use tout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo aggressively promote something, or a person who does that kind of pushy selling.
UK vs US
"Tout" (as in ticket tout) is much more common in British English; American English tends to say "scalper" for someone reselling tickets.
Common pairings
tout as
ticket tout
widely touted
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Word forms
- Plural
- touts
- Third person singular
- touts
- Past tense
- touted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company _____ its new product as a breakthrough.
Etymology
From Middle English touten, "to peer out" or "protrude," from Old English roots meaning "to stick out" — the sense shifted to "to advertise loudly."
Related words
Rhymes for tout
See all rhymes for tout →Frequently asked questions
What does “tout” mean?
The word “tout” means to promote or praise something enthusiastically, often to sell it. In plain terms, to aggressively promote something, or a person who does that kind of pushy selling.
How do you pronounce “tout”?
“Tout” is pronounced towt (/taʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tout” in a sentence?
Here is “tout” used in a sentence: “The company touted its new product as a breakthrough.”
What is another word for “tout”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tout” include pimp, pitch, promote and spruik.
What part of speech is “tout”?
Depending on how it is used, “tout” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “tout” come from?
The word “tout” comes from Old English. From Middle English touten, "to peer out" or "protrude," from Old English roots meaning "to stick out" — the sense shifted to "to advertise loudly.".
Is “tout” a common word?
“Tout” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tout” have?
“Tout” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to promote or praise something enthusiastically, often to sell it.
