Clou

See also: clou

German

Etymology

19th century, borrowed from French clou (“nail”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kluː/

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -uː

Noun

Clou m (strong, genitive Clous, plural Clous)

1. (informal) the most important or most interesting part of something
   1. a special feature, trick, secret

      Synonyms: Besonderheit, das Besondere

      Der Clou an dem Gerät ist, dass es lernfähig ist.

      What sets this device apart is that it’s able to learn.

   2. point (of a story), (less often) punchline (of a joke)

      Synonym: Pointe

      Warte, der Clou kommt ja erst noch!

      Wait, I haven’t even got to the point yet!

   3. highlight

      Synonyms: Höhepunkt, Knüller

      Die Tanzeinlage war der Clou des Abends!

      The dance performance was the highlight of the evening!

Declension

Declension of Clou [masculine, strong]

	singular			plural
	indef.	def.	noun	def.	noun
nominative	ein	der	Clou	die	Clous
genitive	eines	des	Clous	der	Clous
dative	einem	dem	Clou	den	Clous
accusative	einen	den	Clou	die	Clous

Further reading

• “Clou” in Duden online