clout
/klaʊt/
Very CommonSocial influence, fame, or status, especially online.
Frequently used negatively. 'Clout chasing' implies doing something purely for attention rather than genuine interest. But having clout is not inherently bad.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | she only posted that for clout and everyone can tell | Her post was clearly motivated by wanting attention, not sincerity. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | say what you want but that man has clout | Regardless of opinions about him, he has real influence. | reddit, 2024 |
| 03 | these clout chasers will literally do anything for views | People seeking attention have no boundaries for what they will do. | youtube, 2023 |
| 04 | i don't even want clout i just want to post my art | Expressing that their motivation is creative, not about gaining followers. | tiktok, 2024 |
Use it when
- Describing someone's social media influence or reach.
- Calling out someone doing something only for attention.
- Acknowledging someone's genuine influence in a space.
Do not use it when
- You mean actual power or authority (political, workplace).
- You just mean someone is popular in a non-internet context.
Variations and related forms
Clout vs drip
clout
Clout is about social influence and online visibility.
VS
drip
Drip is about personal style and how good you look.
Origin and context
Clout originally meant influence or power in general English. Hip-hop culture repurposed it to mean social media fame and influence. Chief Keef and the Chicago drill scene popularized 'clout chasing' in the mid-2010s.
- First seen
- mid-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
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Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/cloutUpdated: 2026-08-25License: CC BY 4.0