clue

1 of 2

noun

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.

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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
But the computer still handled those sequences strictly sequentially—word by tedious word—and missed out on context clues that might appear later in a passage. Steven Levy, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 All eyes remain on the Fed for clues as to when the first rate cuts will begin. Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2024 If Powell doesn’t provide concrete information on potential rate adjustments to come, the market will still likely parse his words and the Fed statement for clues. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024 That means its experiments offer clues for how other foodservice companies could approach efforts to trim carbon footprints or slash costs. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 18 Mar. 2024 While these facts slowly emerged, crowded trains stalled in both directions, with passengers given no clue to what was causing the delay. Michael Wilson, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2024 Instead, the rovers are acting as extraterrestrial detectives, hunting for clues that life may have existed eons ago. Amy J. Williams, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2024 The pilot program — which was mostly kept under the radar until the deadly convoy incident — provides some clues about Israel’s postwar plans. Yasmeen Abutaleb, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Though the upcoming mission isn’t going to send a message to aliens, its plate provides a clue to how any extraterrestrial civilization can best get in contact with humans. Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2024
Verb
The fact that the show was able to clue viewers in — while keeping volunteer sheriff's deputy Dwight in the dark — was an inspired twist. Erin Strecker, EW.com, 21 Feb. 2024 Even the soundtrack is intriguing and clues us into things happening in the background and periphery. Tim Moffatt, EW.com, 26 Jan. 2024 Three are trivia questions, none are particularly easy and all are clued straightforwardly enough that the whole shebang might have flown right over my head without an explanatory entry, or revealer, at 56-Across. Caitlin Lovinger, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2024 Yells from an island off Maine’s coast helped clue rescuers in on where a missing man was located. Makiya Seminera, Miami Herald, 29 Jan. 2024 While modern plastic medallions are occasionally given as gifts to clue writers and hunt winners, the original set of five medallions was not intended to leave the Pioneer Press’ ownership. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 21 Jan. 2024 The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star has clued us into her favorite Amazon finds all year long thanks to her Amazon livestreams, and right now, many of Richards’ favorite kitchen gadgets, jewelry, skincare products, and more are on sale for Black Friday. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2023 The fundamental obviousness of what’s happening accounts for why, unlike Grann’s book, which disgorged its secrets gradually, Scorsese and Roth pretty much clue us in from the outset. Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2023 Later this year, three gubernatorial elections in deep red states could clue us in to what voters are looking for over the next four years. Chuck Todd, NBC News, 5 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'clue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of clue was circa 1665

Dictionary Entries Near clue

Cite this Entry

“Clue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clue. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

clue

1 of 2 noun
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

More from Merriam-Webster on clue

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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