# clout

/ˈkɫaʊt/ (US) · /klˈaʊt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/clout
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

power and influence over other people or events. In the world of social media, it often means being famous or having many followers.

For teachers: influence or power, especially within politics or business circles. In contemporary digital contexts, refers to social capital or status gained through online visibility.

## Examples

- She has a lot of political clout in this city.
- The young influencer used his online clout to secure a partnership with a major fashion brand.
- While the senator lacked formal authority over the committee, her significant personal clout allowed her to sway the final vote in favor of the new environmental regulations.

## Usage notes

- Commonly paired with the verbs 'have', 'gain', or 'wield'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.