Clue

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kluː/
• Rhymes: -uː
• Homophones: clew

Origin

Variant of clew ("a ball of thread or yarn"), from Middle English clewe, from Old English clēowen, clīewen ("sphere, ball, skein; ball of thread or yarn; mass, group"), from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô ("ball, bale"), from Proto-Indo-European *glew-, *gelew- ("to amass, conglomerate; clump, ball, bale"). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew.

Full definition of clue

Noun

1. (now rare) A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
• 1897, Henry James, What Maisie Knew:she had even had in the past a small smug conviction that in the domestic labyrinth she always kept the clue.
2. Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
3. An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
4. (slang) Insight or understanding ("to have a clue about" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

Synonyms

• (information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion) hint, indication, suggestion
• (object or indication which may be used as evidence) signature

Derived terms

Verb

1. To provide with a clue (often used with "in" or "up").The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should".
2. To provide someone with information which he or she lacks.Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening.

Derived terms

• clued-in
• clued-up