clue

Study(23)

/kluː/

noun 5verb 3name 1

Collocations

(noun.)

ADJ

good, important, useful, valuable | vital | tell-tale | obvious

VERB + CLUE

have, hold

Scientists believe that studying ocean temperatures may hold the clue to understanding future weather patterns.

give (sb), furnish/provide/supply (sb with), yield

The detective's notebook provided crucial clues about what happened that night.

hunt for, look for, search for | discover, find, uncover

leave

The mysterious disappearance left the police with almost no clues to follow.

follow (up)

PREP

~ about

The detective found a vital clue about the missing jewels during the investigation.

~ (as) to

The detective found an important clue to the identity of the mysterious stranger.

Definitions

noun

A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.

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

Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.

Give me a clue because the question is too vague.

Black tracks on the magneto, a hairline crack in the flywheel casing, pitted points or a spitless exhaust — all are clues to potential conkouts

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.

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.

The text that indicates an answer in a crossword puzzle.

verb

To provide with a clue.

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

To provide someone with information which they lack (often used with "in" or "up").

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

I stared into my mind for some image to clue me what to say but I saw only blackness there.

Alternative form of clew.

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.

name

The board game Cluedo whose goal is to solve the mystery of a fictitious murder.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

noun — evidence that helps to solve a problem

noun — a slight indication

hint

verb — roll into a ball

clew

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

clue stick

A metaphorical stick used to beat information or understanding into a slow learner.

Leadbetter needs to be thwacked with a legal clue stick. The law he's talking about applies only to Internet service providers, not reporters.

get a clue

To become aware of the obvious reality of a situation, often used as a command to indicate frustration

"How many times do I have to tell you that this relationship is over? Get a clue!", she said after her ex-boyfriend asked her again to get back together.

Example Bank

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

Wiktionary

Give me a clue because the question is too vague.

Wiktionary

Black tracks on the magneto, a hairline crack in the flywheel casing, pitted points or a spitless exhaust — all are clues to potential conkouts

Wiktionary

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

Wiktionary

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

Wiktionary

I stared into my mind for some image to clue me what to say but I saw only blackness there.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, clue is marked as archaic. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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