tout

¹tout

verb \ˈtau̇t, in sense 4 also ˈtüt\

Definition of TOUT

transitive verb

1

: to spy on : watch

2

a British : to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse)

b : to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)

3

: to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately <not meant to tout you off the movie — Russell Baker>

4

: to make much of : promote, talk up <touted as the summer's blockbuster movie> <the college's much touted women's studies program>

intransitive verb

1

: to solicit patronage

2

a chiefly British : to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting

b : to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse

Examples of TOUT

1. The company is running advertisements touting the drug's effectiveness.
2. The company's stock is being touted by many financial advisers.
3. People were touting tickets outside the stadium.
4. People were touting outside the stadium.

Origin of TOUT

Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English tōtian to stick out, Norwegian tyte

First Known Use: circa 1700

Related to TOUT

Synonyms

ballyhoo, blow up, crack up, cry up, glorify, trumpet, tub-thump

Antonyms

knock, pan, slam

Related Words

acclaim, applaud, extol (also extoll), laud, magnify; commend, compliment, eulogize; advance, advertise, announce, blare, blaze, blazon, boost, herald, offer, plug, promote, publicize; assert, aver, claim, declare, lay down, make out, proclaim, pronounce

Near Antonyms

belittle, discommend, disparage, put down; blame, censure, reprehend, reprobate; admonish, chide, criticize, rebuke, reprimand, reproach, reprove; castigate, excoriate, keelhaul, lambaste (or lambast), skewer, slag [chiefly British], vilify

Rhymes with TOUT

bout, clout, doubt, drought, flout, glout, gout, grout, knout, kraut, lout, out, pout, rout, route, scout, shout, snout, spout, sprout, stout, trout

²tout

noun

Definition of TOUT

: one who touts: as

a : one who solicits patronage

b chiefly British : one who spies out racing information for betting purposes

c : one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse

First Known Use of TOUT

1853