Cue

/kjuː/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A signal for someone to take action or to begin a certain behavior.

When the music starts, that's your cue to begin dancing.

A hint or reminder to help someone remember to do something.

She gave me a cue to remember to turn off the lights.

A long, flexible rod used in games such as billiards or snooker to strike the ball.

He selected a perfectly balanced cue for the game of billiards.

verb

To give a signal to someone to act or to begin.

The director cued the actors to start their performance.

To provide someone with a reminder or prompt.

She cued him to remember the next line in the script.

Late Middle English: from Latin 'qua', meaning 'which'.

in cue

In line or sequence to take action or participate.

give a cue

To provide a signal for someone to act.

take your cue from

To follow someone's example or suggestion.

prompt

A cue or indication for someone to do something.

hint

A slight or indirect indication or suggestion.

signal

A gesture or action used to convey information.

To start something.

When the music starts, that's your cue to dance.

To hint at something indirectly.

Her smile was a cue that she liked the idea.