What does louts mean?
The plural louts refers to people, usually men or boys, whose conduct is conspicuously rude, badly mannered, and socially graceless. In modern use the word is more than a neutral label: calling someone a lout implies that they are uncouth, boorish, perhaps loud and aggressive, and that their behavior falls below ordinary standards of courtesy. The plural often refers collectively to a group of troublemakers or rough young men, although it can also be used with a numerical or possessive determiner. Lout is an old English noun, and its familiar disparaging sense dates back to the early modern period. Although still understood in American English, it is especially common in British English and in formal or literary prose. The word remains useful because it identifies a recognizable social type: the graceless, overbearing, ill-mannered person whose rudeness dominates a scene.
nounLouts are rude, badly mannered, or graceless people, especially young men or boys whose behavior is boorish and often disruptive.
- Rude, badly mannered, or graceless people, especially young men or boys.
"A pair of louts heckled the performers until the police arrived."
"The teacher refused to tolerate the louts who disrupted every lesson."
"In the play, a group of louts attempts to bully the town's watchman."
Lout is the usual singular noun, and louts is its regular plural form.
"The neighborhood watch reported several louts causing trouble near the station."
A lout is more than merely rude: the word evokes the graceless, boorish person whose bad manners dominate the scene.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of louts
Lout is an English noun whose strongly disparaging modern sense is attested from the early 17th century. It developed through Middle English usage associated with a humble, unrefined, or uncouth fellow, although its precise ultimate source is uncertain. English later formed loutish and loutishly from it, preserving the same disparaging sense.
Related word forms
How louts is actually used
The term is derogatory and often implies that someone is young, male, uncouth, and socially insensitive. It remains especially common in British English but is also used, though less frequently, in American English and older literary writing.
Easily confused with louts
A lout is a rude or graceless person, whereas loot means stolen goods or plunder.