Definition of CLUE

clue

Plural: clues

Noun

  • a slight indication
  • evidence that helps to solve a problem
  • A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
  • Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
  • An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
  • Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

Verb

Verb Forms: clued, clueing, cluing, clues

  • To provide guiding information or a hint to someone.
  • roll into a ball
  • To provide with a clue.
  • To provide someone with information which they lack (often used with "in" or "up").
  • Alternative form of clew.

Examples

  • Give me a clue because the question is too vague.
  • I had little clue that I was being carefully monitored by the CCTV.
  • Smith, clue Jones in on what's been happening.
  • The crossword compiler wasn't sure how to clue the word "should".
  • The detectives were looking for some clues at the scene of the crime.
  • The dictionary app didn’t CLUE me in on the best place to play ’Q’ without a ’U’.

Origin / Etymology

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.

Scrabble Score: 6

clue: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
clue: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
clue: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 9

clue: valid Words With Friends Word