Definition of 'cue'

Word Frequency

cue

(kjuː )

Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense cues , present participle cueing , past tense, past participle cued

1. countable noun [oft with poss]

In the theatre or in a musical performance, a performer's cue is something another performer says or does that is a signal for them to begin speaking, playing, or doing something.

The actors not performing sit at the side of the stage in full view, waiting for their cues.

I had never known him miss a cue.

2. verb

If one performer cues another, they say or do something which is a signal for the second performer to begin speaking, playing, or doing something.

He read the scene, with Seaton cueing him. [VERB noun]

3. countable noun [NOUN to-infinitive]

If you say that something that happens is a cue for an action, you mean that people start doing that action when it happens.

That was the cue for several months of intense bargaining. [+ for]

That was Nicholas's cue to ask for another chocolate chip cookie.

4. countable noun

A cue is a long, thin wooden stick that is used to hit the ball in games such as snooker, billiards, and pool.

Their youngest brother was nine when he picked up a cue for the first time.

See on cue/as if on cue

See take one's cue from

More Synonyms of cue

Video: pronunciation of
cue

cue in British English 1

(kjuː )

noun

1. on cue

a signal or reminder to do something

3. psychology

the part of any sensory pattern that is identified as the signal for a response

the part, function, or action assigned to or expected of a person

verbWord forms: cues, cueing or cued

5. (transitive)

to give a cue or cues to (an actor)

6. (usually foll by in or into)

to signal (to something or somebody) at a specific moment in a musical or dramatic performance

to cue in a flourish of trumpets

7. (transitive)

to give information or a reminder to (someone)

8. (intransitive)

to signal the commencement of filming, as with the word "Action!"

Word origin

C16: probably from name of the letter q, used in an actor's script to represent Latin quando when

Word Frequency

cue in British English 2

(kjuː )

noun

1. billiards, snooker

a long tapered shaft with a leather tip, used to drive the balls

hair caught at the back forming a tail or braid

3. US a variant spelling of queue

verbWord forms: cues, cueing or cued

to drive (a ball) with a cue

5. (transitive)

to twist or tie (the hair) into a cue

Word origin

C18: variant of queue

Word Frequency

cue in American English 1

(kju )

noun

a bit of dialogue, action, or music that is a signal for an actor's entrance or speech, or for the working of curtains, lights, sound effects, etc.

2. Music

a gesture or written device used to signal the entry of one or more instrumentalists or vocalists

anything serving as a signal to do something

an indirect suggestion; hint

5. Rare

the role that one is assigned to play

a necessary course of action

6. Archaic

frame of mind; mood; temperament

7. Psychology

a secondary stimulus that guides behavior, often without entering consciousness

verb transitiveWord forms: cued, ˈcuing or ˈcueing

to give a cue to

Idioms:

cue in

Word origin

< q, Q, used in plays in 16th & 17th c. to indicate actors' entrances; prob. abbrev. of some L word (as quando, when, qualis, in what manner)

Word Frequency

cue in American English 2

(kju )

noun

queue (sense 1)

a long, tapering, tipped rod used in billiards and pool to strike the cue ball

a long, shovel-like stick used in shuffleboard to push the disks

verb transitiveWord forms: cued, ˈcuing or ˈcueing

to braid (hair)

to strike (a cue ball) with a cue

Word origin

var. of queue

Example sentences including
cue

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

So why did the emperor of the unexpected elect to give the cue away? People take their cues about whether to respect a leader from the leader himself.That can only be a cue for one man. Take a cue from your other half and mirror her style.Her behaviour should give you important cues.It has all the right cues for young people.Cue panic and people calling an ambulance.The cast stand about awkwardly, dropping props and cues left and right.Cue another scribbled diagram: she evidently does her research.One way of finding a good flavour match is to take your cue from the other ingredients that cheese is often served with.