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The tired troublemakers taunt the tutors who tout trigonometry to terrified teens trying to tug their tent taut in a thunderstorm. These three “T-words” sound alike, but have very different meanings. Taut (also not to be confused with taught, the past tense of teach) means tight, as in “the rope was pulled taut,” and is always an adjective.
Taunt can be a noun or a verb, and has a meaning similar to harass and ridicule. Tout is only used as a verb, and is much more positive, defined as praising or recommending someone or something enthusiastically. As a general rule of thumb, a people tout things they like and respect; they are more likely to taunt people they don’t. When setting up a tent, the degree of tautness could lead to being touted (good) or taunted (bad).

Jim Zuercher
Staff Writing Tutor