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.

Etymology

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

Common Phrases and Expressions

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.

Related Words

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.

Slang Meanings

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.