SKIP TO CONTENT

clue

clues; clued; cluing

A clue is a piece of evidence that helps solve a problem, or it's a slight hint. When you’re in the dark about the surprise party your friends are planning, they'll say, “She doesn’t have a clue!”

When you first join the police force, you’re mostly just walking the beat. But when you’re promoted to detective, your job is to look for that big clue that will help you solve the case. The original Middle English word was clew, which meant “a ball of thread.” If you were trapped in a labyrinth, you could follow the clew to help find your way out.

Definitions of clue
  1. noun
    evidence that helps to solve a problem
    synonyms: clew, cue
    see moresee less
    types:
    mark, sign
    a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
    token
    something serving as a sign of something else
    type of:
    evidence
    an indication that makes something evident
  2. noun
    a slight indication
    synonyms: hint
    see moresee less
    type of:
    indicant, indication
    something that serves to indicate or suggest
  3. verb
    roll into a ball
    synonyms: clew
    see moresee less
    type of:
    roll, twine, wind, wrap
    arrange or or coil around
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘clue'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up clue for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer