clue

1 of 2

noun

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 2

verb

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)

Examples of clue in a Sentence

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.

Verb

would you clue him in on the plan?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Connections is released at midnight in your local time zone, so be sure to check back with Newsweek daily for more clues and answers. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 15 Feb. 2025

To celebrate the return of Yellowjackets, Entertainment Weekly will be revealing a new clue — sorry, exclusive — every day this week. —Samantha Highfill, EW.com, 14 Feb. 2025

Verb

Repeating this painstaking detective work enough times helps reveal patterns among young cancer patients, giving Ogino and his team clues as to what may have caused their diseases. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 13 Feb. 2025

Patterns can clue you in to what might be going on, says Dr. Johnson. —Ashley Abramson, SELF, 12 Feb. 2025

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

• clue in
• don't have a clue
• haven't a clue

Kids Definition

clue

1 of 2 noun

ˈklü 

1

: something that helps a person find something or solve a mystery

2

: idea sense 2, conception

had no clue what he meant

clue

2 of 2 verb

clued; clueing or cluing

1

: to provide with a clue

2

: to give information to

clue me in on the news