shout-out

noun

ˈshau̇t-ˌau̇t 

variants or less commonly shoutout

plural shout-outs also shoutouts

informal

: a public expression of greeting, praise, or acknowledgment 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

In that bluebonnets-and-Shiner-Bock context that album title could be a shout-out to Willie Nelson and his 1974 album Phases and Stages. — Stephen Deusner, SPIN, 3 Aug. 2026

Apple doesn’t break out financials of the various Services businesses but Cook, speaking on his 90th and last earnings call, gave his usual shout-out to the streaming service. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 July 2026

The My Adventures With Superman and The Boys star had to give a shout-out to an iconic cartoon trio. — Oliver Gettell, Entertainment Weekly, 26 July 2026

One last July birthday shout-out, to our youngest grandson, Teddy. — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 18 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

originally African American English, noun derivative of shout out "to give recognition to, publicly acknowledge"

Note: The popularization of shout-out has been attributed to the Black DJ and music video producer Ralph McDaniels, who co-hosted the program Video Music Box on the New York City public television station WNYC from 1984 to 1996.

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