touter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, often pejorative
Quick answer
What does “touter” mean?
A person who solicits business or custom in a persistent and aggressive manner.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who solicits business or custom in a persistent and aggressive manner.
Often carries a negative connotation, suggesting the person uses unscrupulous or overly zealous methods to attract customers, clients, or patrons. Historically associated with those soliciting for betting, auctions, or cheap travel.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly encountered in UK contexts, particularly related to ticket sales, betting shops, and street solicitation. In the US, the term 'tout' is more common than 'touter', though both are understood.
Connotations
Both varieties carry a negative connotation of pushiness and lack of scruples.
Frequency
The term is overall rare. Its frequency is marginally higher in British English due to specific historical and cultural contexts like racecourse touts.
Grammar
How to Use “touter” in a Sentence
touter for [N]touter of [N]be accosted by a toutVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “touter” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The police moved on the touts outside the football stadium.
- He made a living as a racecourse tout, offering dubious tips.
American English
- Be wary of ticket touts near the concert venue; their tickets may be fake.
- The city cracked down on the touts hassling tourists near the harbour.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, used pejoratively to describe unethical salespersons or aggressive brokers.
Academic
Very rare, potentially in historical or sociological texts about urban commerce.
Everyday
Used to describe someone pestering people on the street to buy tickets or use a service.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “touter”
- Misspelling as 'tutor'.
- Using in a positive context (e.g., 'He's a great tout for our company').
- Confusing the verb 'tout' (to promote) with the agent noun 'touter' (the person).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency word. The verb 'tout' is more common, though also informal.
Almost never. Its connotations are overwhelmingly negative, implying pushiness and often dishonesty.
A 'salesperson' is a neutral/formal term for someone employed to sell. A 'touter' specifically implies unlicensed, aggressive, and often public solicitation, usually with a disregard for rules or ethics.
It is understood but very rarely used. Americans are more likely to use 'tout' (noun) or terms like 'hustler' or 'scalper' (for tickets).
A person who solicits business or custom in a persistent and aggressive manner.
Touter is usually informal, often pejorative in register.
Touter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtaʊtə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtaʊdər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the tout”
- “tout for business”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A 'touter' is OUT trying to get you TO buy something.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE IS PREDATION (The tout is a predator seeking prey/customers).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'touter' most likely to be used accurately?