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cue
/kjuː/
a signal or prompt
The actor waited for his cue to enter the stage.
The actor waited for the signal to begin his performance.
informal
a signal or prompt to do something, often in a performance or game
The DJ dropped the beat as his cue to start dancing.
The DJ played the beat as a signal to begin dancing.
Common in theater, gaming, and social interactions.
technical
a visual or auditory signal in a game or performance
The player missed the cue to jump over the obstacle.
The player failed to notice the signal to jump.
In gaming, cues are often visual or auditory prompts.
informal
a hint or suggestion about what to do or say
She gave me a subtle cue to leave the room.
She hinted that I should leave the room.
Used in social situations to guide behavior.
Collocations
take a cueto follow someone's lead or examplemiss a cueto fail to notice or act on a signalgive a cueto provide a signal or hint
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
The meaning of 'cue' can vary depending on whether it's used in theater, gaming, or social situations.
Gold Rule
Primary Meaning
'Cue' most commonly means a signal or prompt, especially in performances or games.
Word Origin
From Middle French 'cue', meaning 'tail' (originally referring to the tail of a billiard cue), later extended to mean a signal or prompt.
Usage Notes
In theater and gaming, 'cue' refers to a specific signal to begin an action. In social contexts, it can mean a subtle hint.
Word Breakdown
cue
signal or prompt
rootEnglish Dictionary