shout-out

noun

ˈshau̇t-ˌau̇t 

variants or less commonly shoutout

plural shout-outs also shoutouts

informal

: a public expression of greeting, praise, or acknowledgement directed toward a person or group often as part of a performance, recording, or broadcast

She opened her acceptance speech with a shout-out to James Baldwin, the author of the book on which the movie was based, calling him "one of the greatest artists of our time."

—Neal Justin

Here are a few lyrical shout-outs to some of hip hop's favorite designers.

—Scott Poulson-Bryant

She even gave a shoutout to one of her former teachers on Twitter, and encouraged others to do the same.

—Emily Sweeney

Examples of shout-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The pro athlete gave Willie a sweet shout-out on Instagram on Father’s Day in June 2024. —Nasha Smith, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Speaking to Variety at the Cinespia screening of Sinners at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on October 17, Coogler gave a shout-out to his mom and credited her with inspiring his new X-Files reboot. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2025

Special shout-out to Lupita Nyong'o, whose dual-role performance wins her the creepy crown, hands down. —Gwen Ihnat, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Oct. 2025

So shout-out to the other guys who are getting their jobs done. —Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1990, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shout-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

Kids Definition

shout–out

noun

variants also shoutout

ˈshau̇t-ˌau̇t

informal

: a public expression of greeting, praise, or acknowledgment directed toward a person or group often as part of a performance, broadcast, or recording