tout

verb \ ˈtau̇t , in sense 1 also ˈtüt \

Definition of tout

transitive verb

1 :to make much of :promote, talk up

touted as the summer's blockbuster movie

the college's much touted women's studies program

2 :to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately

not meant to tout you off the movie
—Russell Baker

3 :to spy on :watch

4 a British :to spy out information about (a racing stable, a horse, etc.)

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

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

See tout defined for English-language learners

See tout defined for kids

Examples of tout in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of tout from the Web

Throughout his tenure, Flynn has touted partnerships with large nonprofits, such as Sojourner Family Peace Center, which helps domestic violence victims; and Safe & Sound, which helps organize efforts such as block watches.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
During the taping of the preview show last week in Bristol, Corso touted Oklahoma State quarterback Mason Rudolph as his Heisman Trophy pick.

— ralph d. russo, The Seattle Times, "Corso still going on “GameDay” — with help from his friends," 29 Aug. 2017
Perhaps mindful of the comparisons, Samsung has touted Mr. Lee’s own accomplishments, including solidifying relationships with American technology companies like Google and Apple.

— jeyup s. kwaak and paul mozur, New York Times, "Mastermind or Naïf? Samsung Heir’s Fate Hinges on the Question," 23 Aug. 2017
Instead, tout your successes, skills, and accomplishments.

— alisyn camerota, Cosmopolitan, "Alisyn Camerota: 7 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was 29," 22 Aug. 2017
During the 2016 campaign and immediately after, Trump often touted Icahn’s willingness to advise him on economic policy as a feather in his cap.

— ed kigore, Daily Intelligencer, "Icahn Fired By Trump As Advisor, Then Resigns," 18 Aug. 2017
JaVonte Richardson (6-4, 230): With Bowden absent, Richardson, a former four-star recruit according to three of the four major recruiting services, assumes the mantle of most highly touted player in the group.

— jon hale, The Courier-Journal, "Lynn Bowden not the only freshman wide receiver who could play for UK this fall," 31 July 2017
But a press release touted the panel’s support for building three new mid-sized research vessels, for which NSF has requested $105 million under a separate account for new large facilities.

— david malakoff, Science | AAAS, "Senate spending panel would squeeze science agencies but exceed Trump request," 25 July 2017
Ivanka Trump touts herself as an all-American female entrepreneur...while wearing clothes made in China by workers paid just 62 dollars a week.

— jessica valenti, Marie Claire, "This Is the Only Kind of Woman It's Okay to Be in Trump's America," 25 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of tout

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1700

See Words from the same year

tout Synonyms

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

tout

noun

Definition of tout

:one who touts: such 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

See tout defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of tout from the Web

That’s quite a tout considering Florida ranked 105th in the nation and 13th in the SEC in yards per play last season.

— andy staples, SI.com, "Malik Zaire Is Ready to Revive Florida's Offense—but He Needs to Win a Job First," 7 Aug. 2017
Tour operators such as Jet2holidays have sent investigators to expose touts who encourage guests to make fraudulent claims.

— The Economist, "Holiday cons“Puke for payout”, the scam making holiday firms sick," 20 July 2017
Among the questions Berrios is likely to face at Tuesday's hearing: Why did his office tout and then quietly abandon a new residential valuation model funded by the MacArthur Foundation designed to reduce regressivity?

— jason grotto, chicagotribune.com, "Berrios forced to play defense as county property valuations scrutinized," 17 July 2017
One of his most recent baseball futures tout was Hunter Greene, who appeared on the May 2017 cover of Sports Illustrated several months later.

— The Aegis, "How a Bel Air 17-year-old earns $137 an hour," 11 July 2017
The four leading secondary ticket sites in the U.K. have taken a united stance against touts looking to turn a profit from Sunday's Ariana Grande Manchester Benefit Concert.

— richard smirke, Billboard, "Ticketing Giants Rally to Beat 'Unscrupulous' Manchester Benefit Concert Touts," 2 June 2017
This isn’t a tout sheet, or a betting advisory, but sometimes Vegas comes out with a line that dovetails into sports conversation and expectations.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde5: Vegas has Dolphins at 7.5 wins - realistic or easy $$$?," 5 May 2017

First Known Use of tout

1853

TOUT Defined for English Language Learners

tout

verb

Definition of tout for English Language Learners

: to talk about (something or someone) as being very good, effective, skillful, etc.
: to try to persuade people to buy your goods or services
: to buy tickets for an event and resell them at a much higher price

tout

noun

Definition of tout for English Language Learners

: a person who sells information about which horses are likely to win the races at a racetrack
: a person who buys tickets for an event and resells them at a much higher price