clue
1 of 2noun
ˈklü 
1
: something that guides through an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties
specifically : a piece of evidence that leads one toward the solution of a problem
2
: idea, notion
had no clue what he meant
clue
2 of 2verb
clued; clueing or cluing
transitive verb
1
: to provide with a clue
2
: to give reliable information to
he clued me in on how it happened
Did you know?
The word clue was originally a variant spelling of clew, meaning “ball of thread or yarn.” Our modern sense of clue, “guide to the solution of a mystery,” grows out of a motif in myth and folklore, the ball of thread that helps in finding one’s way out of a maze. Of these stories the best known is the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. In the myth, Theseus unravels a ball of thread as he searches for the monstrous Minotaur in the Labyrinth. After killing the Minotaur, he retraces his steps out of the maze by rewinding the thread.
Synonyms
Noun
- cue
- hint
- indication
- inkling
- intimation
- lead
- suggestion
Verb
- acquaint
- advise
- apprise
- brief
- catch up
- clear
- enlighten
- familiarize
- fill in
- hip
- inform
- instruct
- tell
- verse
- wise (up)
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The book gives the reader plenty of clues to solve the mystery. Science gives us clues about the origin of the universe. “Guess who I met today.” “Can you give me a clue?” It gives a clue as to how to proceed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Roxane Gay, New York Times, 26 May 2022 And at this point nobody has any clue what the hell is going on. Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2021 But Engvall, who didn’t know much about the professional comedy scene, had no clue what the job would entail. Nick Clement, Variety, 26 May 2022 Republicans on the campaign trail and over the airwaves are pressing the image of a faltering Democratic leadership that has no clue how to handle economic uncertainty, the persistent pandemic and rising crime. New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 What followed was both comedic and heartbreaking since Steven, a vegan, had no clue how to order a steak. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2022 The action comes from Woolf’s focus on the characters’ bubbling streams of consciousness, which clue readers in to the ways that the guests perceive, and misperceive, themselves and one another. Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2022 The restraint needed to avoid inserting a particularly devious clue into a puzzle meant for beginners is remarkable. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 And soon, investigators would find a big clue caught on camera. Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2022 Kevin Krewell, Forbes, 30 June 2022 That could clue lawmakers in to what exceptions the general public prefers. Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2022 There’s a conversation happening on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok this season around certain fans who didn't seem to clue in on the show's satire, who genuinely root for characters like Homelander. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 July 2022 Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of London salon Hare & Bone, is here to clue me in. Georgia Murray, refinery29.com, 24 June 2022 On the flip side, treatments such as Paxlovid have become more available, muddying patterns that could help clue researchers in to what interventions are saving the most lives. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2022 But your bathroom habits may clue you into the state of your G.I. tract and uterus. Korin Miller, SELF, 18 May 2022 Though both Kidd and Huffaker agree there’s nothing to be gained from banning books, the process and dialogue of challenges allows librarians to connect more with patrons, and clue them into what goes into selecting books. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Feb. 2022 Stan is eager to learn their secrets, which reside in a book of spoken cues that clue a mentalist into what objects audience members are holding, what is engraved on them or other details. Bill Goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2021 See More
Noun
Here’s today’s Mini Crossword, and a clue: Big star (five letters). Roxane Gay, New York Times, 26 May 2022 And at this point nobody has any clue what the hell is going on. Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2021 But Engvall, who didn’t know much about the professional comedy scene, had no clue what the job would entail. Nick Clement, Variety, 26 May 2022 Republicans on the campaign trail and over the airwaves are pressing the image of a faltering Democratic leadership that has no clue how to handle economic uncertainty, the persistent pandemic and rising crime. New York Times, 8 Apr. 2022 What followed was both comedic and heartbreaking since Steven, a vegan, had no clue how to order a steak. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2022 The action comes from Woolf’s focus on the characters’ bubbling streams of consciousness, which clue readers in to the ways that the guests perceive, and misperceive, themselves and one another. Heather Hansman, The Atlantic, 24 Aug. 2022 The restraint needed to avoid inserting a particularly devious clue into a puzzle meant for beginners is remarkable. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 And soon, investigators would find a big clue caught on camera. Dateline Nbc, NBC News, 17 Aug. 2022 Verb
There’s even little graphics on the panel to clue you in on the function each potentiometer controls. Kevin Krewell, Forbes, 30 June 2022 That could clue lawmakers in to what exceptions the general public prefers. Kaitlin Lange, The Indianapolis Star, 12 July 2022 There’s a conversation happening on Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok this season around certain fans who didn't seem to clue in on the show's satire, who genuinely root for characters like Homelander. Evan Romano, Men's Health, 8 July 2022 Sam Burnett, owner and creative director of London salon Hare & Bone, is here to clue me in. Georgia Murray, refinery29.com, 24 June 2022 On the flip side, treatments such as Paxlovid have become more available, muddying patterns that could help clue researchers in to what interventions are saving the most lives. Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 23 May 2022 But your bathroom habits may clue you into the state of your G.I. tract and uterus. Korin Miller, SELF, 18 May 2022 Though both Kidd and Huffaker agree there’s nothing to be gained from banning books, the process and dialogue of challenges allows librarians to connect more with patrons, and clue them into what goes into selecting books. Palak Jayswal, The Salt Lake Tribune, 28 Feb. 2022 Stan is eager to learn their secrets, which reside in a book of spoken cues that clue a mentalist into what objects audience members are holding, what is engraved on them or other details. Bill Goodykoontz, Detroit Free Press, 18 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
alteration of clew
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1665, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing clue
Kids Definition
clue
noun
ˈklü
: something that helps a person to find something or to solve a mystery
clued
verb
as in informed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- informed
- notified
- apprised
- briefed
- acquainted
- enlightened
- familiarized
- instructed
- told
- advised
- filled in
- buzzed
- phoned
- addressed
- telephoned
- contacted
- called
- wised (up)
- reached
- got
- rang (up)
- got through (to)
- communicated (with)
- kept up (with)
- countergambit
- countergauge
- countergirl
- counterglow
- counterglows
- countergovernment
- countergovernments
- counterguard
- counterguerilla
- counterguerillas
- counterguerrilla
- counterguerrillas
- counterhypotheses
- counterhypothesis
- counterimage
- counterimages
- counterincentive
- counterincentives
- counterinflation
- counterinflationary
- counterinfluence
- counterinfluenced
- counterinfluences
- counterinfluencing
- laotianer