clout

What it means

Influence, status, or fame, especially the kind earned online through followers, attention, or being associated with someone popular. 'Clout-chasing' is the act of doing things purely to gain this attention.

Examples

• He only posted that to get clout off the drama.
• She's got serious clout now after that video went viral.
• Stop clout-chasing, nobody believes you actually met him.
• They're just dating for the clout, it's so obvious.

Where it comes from

An old English word for influence (literally 'a heavy blow') that was revived in hip-hop and AAVE. It exploded as internet slang in the late 2010s, especially via 'clout chaser' and the brand Clout Goggles.

Related slang