verb
tout
towt
verb
1
To promote or praise something enthusiastically, often to sell it.
"The company touted its new product as a breakthrough."
"He was touted as the next great quarterback."
noun
1
Someone who aggressively tries to sell something, especially tickets, or someone who gives tips on racehorses.
"Ticket touts were selling seats outside the stadium for triple the price."
How to Use Tout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo aggressively promote something, or a person who does that kind of pushy selling.
UK vs US
"Tout" (as in ticket tout) is much more common in British English; American English tends to say "scalper" for someone reselling tickets.
Common pairings
tout as
ticket tout
widely touted
Word Forms
touted past tense, touts plural, touts singular
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The company _____ its new product as a breakthrough.
Etymology
From Middle English touten, "to peer out" or "protrude," from Old English roots meaning "to stick out" — the sense shifted to "to advertise loudly."