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lout

verb (1)
\ ˈlau̇t How to pronounce lout (audio) \
louted; louting; louts

Definition of lout

 (Entry 1 of 3)

intransitive verb

1 : to bow in respect lout as the queen passed by
2 : submit, yield louted to the emperor

lout

noun

Definition of lout (Entry 2 of 3)

: an awkward brutish person

lout

verb (2)
louted; louting; louts

Definition of lout (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

: to treat as a lout : scorn
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about lout

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Did You Know?

Noun

Lout belongs to the large group of words we use to indicate an undesirable person, a boor, a bumpkin, a dolt, a clod. We've used lout in this way since the mid-1500s. As early as the 800s, however, lout functioned as a verb with the meaning "to bow in respect." No one is quite sure how the verb sense developed into a noun meaning "a brutish person." Perhaps the awkward posture of one bowing down led over time to the idea that the person was personally low and awkward as well.

Examples of lout in a Sentence

Noun

 watch where you're going, you big lout! Howard's rude behavior at the country club earned him a reputation as a lout.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Trump himself demonstrated the problem by claiming that CNN host Christopher Cuomo should be prohibited from owning guns because Cuomo lost his temper and yelled at a lout who was harassing him and his family at a restaurant. — David B. Kopel, National Review, "Trump Must Not Break His Promises to Gun-Rights Supporters," 16 Aug. 2019 Both actors acquit themselves as champions of the unblinking gaze, suggesting everything Marion and Christian would like to do if only Marion weren’t married to an (unseen) lout of a husband. — Michael Phillips, chicagotribune.com, "‘In the Aisles’ review: Love among the forklifts, with the star of ‘Toni Erdmann’," 18 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lout.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of lout

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1542, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for lout

Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English lūtan; akin to Old Norse lūta to bow down

Noun

perhaps from lout entry 1

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More Definitions for lout

lout

noun

English Language Learners Definition of lout

: a stupid, rude, or awkward man

See the full definition for lout in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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More from Merriam-Webster on lout

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with lout

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for lout

Spanish Central: Translation of lout

Nglish: Translation of lout for Spanish Speakers

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