First Known Use: circa 1700
Dictionary
1tout
verb \ˈtau̇t, in sense 4 also ˈtüt\
: 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
Full 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
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
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of TOUT
Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English tōtian to stick out, Norwegian tyte
Related to TOUT
2tout
noun
: 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
Full 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
See tout defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TOUT
1853
Learn More About TOUT
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up tout? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).