tout

1 of 2

verb

ˈtau̇t 

in sense 1 also

ˈtüt 

touted; touting; touts

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

tout

2 of 2

noun

: 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

Synonyms of tout

Verb

• advertise
• announce
• promote
• acclaim

Examples of tout in a Sentence

Verb

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 on the Web

Verb

Progressives immediately touted her win as a sign of greater momentum for the region. — Matt Brown, Fortune, 19 Aug. 2026

But the voters went with a candidate who touted long experience from serving in Congress since 2005. — Bill Barrow, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

Diamantas, who has been leading the investigation into the health outbreaks, has been touted as the driving force behind the administration's food policy and stressed that America's food supply is safe despite consumers' health concerns. — Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

Singer touted his deep South Florida roots in a statement to the Sun Sentinel after his victory. — Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1700, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tout

• ticket tout

Rhymes for tout

• bout
• clout
• doubt
• drought
• flout
• gout
• grout
• kraut
• lout
• out
• pout
• rout

Kids Definition

tout

verb

ˈtau̇t, 

ˈtüt

: to make much of : promote