What Does Clout Mean?
Social MediaTikTokTwitter/XInstagram
Quick Definition
Social influence, fame, or popularity, especially on social media.
Advertisement
Meaning of Clout
"Clout" refers to social influence, fame, or popularity, particularly on social media. Having clout means you have a significant following, your opinions carry weight, and people pay attention to you. "Clout chasing" is the negative flip side — doing things specifically to gain attention, followers, or fame rather than being genuine.
Origin & History
"Clout" has meant influence or power since the 14th century, but its modern slang usage took off in hip-hop culture in the 2010s. Offset's 2017 song "Clout" and the rise of influencer culture helped cement the term in internet vocabulary. "Clout goggles" (round sunglasses associated with rapper Lil Jon) became a meme in 2017.
Usage Examples
- “She only hangs out with famous people for the clout.”
- “He's got major clout on Twitter, millions of followers.”
- “Stop clout chasing and just be yourself.”
- “That collab was pure clout — both their followings grew.”
- “He wore those sunglasses for the clout.”
Where Is Clout Used?
TikTokTwitter/XInstagramYouTubeTwitch
Related Slang Terms
Flex
To show off or brag about something impressive.
Stan
An extremely devoted fan. To be an intense supporter of someone.
Simp
Someone who does too much for a person they like, often without getting anything in return.
Ratio
When a reply gets more likes than the original post, indicating disagreement.
W
Win. Used to celebrate a victory, success, or good take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does clout mean?
Clout means social influence, fame, or popularity, especially online. Having clout means people listen to you and your content reaches a wide audience.
What is clout chasing?
Clout chasing is doing things specifically to gain attention, followers, or fame rather than being genuine. It's seen as desperate or inauthentic behavior motivated purely by the desire for social media popularity.
Is clout always about social media?
While clout is most commonly associated with social media influence, it can refer to any form of social power or influence — in a school, workplace, community, or industry.