Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Clue

//kluː// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    The board game Cluedo whose goal is to solve the mystery of a fictitious murder.
Noun
  1. 1
    A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide. archaic

    "she had even had in the past a small smug conviction that in the domestic labyrinth she always kept the clue."

  2. 2
    evidence that helps to solve a problem wordnet
  3. 3
    Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.

    "Give me a clue because the question is too vague."

  4. 4
    a slight indication wordnet
  5. 5
    An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.

    "The detectives were looking for some clues at the scene of the crime."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

    "I had little clue that I was being carefully monitored by the CCTV."

Verb
  1. 1
    To provide with a clue.

    "The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should"."

  2. 2
    roll into a ball wordnet
  3. 3
    To provide someone with information which they lack (often used with "in" or "up").

    "Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening."

  4. 4
    Alternative form of clew. alt-of, alternative

    "If the lee-side of the sail were clued up, the risk would be small compared with what it would be were the sheet nearly aft and the whole sail full of wind on starting the tack."

Etymology

Etymology 1

Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clewe, from Old English clīewen (“ball”), from Proto-West Germanic *kliuwīn, from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô (“ball, bale”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“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.

Etymology 2

Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clewe, from Old English clīewen (“ball”), from Proto-West Germanic *kliuwīn, from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô (“ball, bale”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“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.

See also for "clue"

Synonyms Antonyms Rhymes Sentences Translate Word Type Pronunciation Word Forms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsSee usage examplesCheck pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: clue