clue

noun \ ˈklü \

|Updated on: 21 Aug 2018

Definition of clue

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

See clue defined for English-language learners

See clue defined for kids

Examples of clue in a Sentence

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 of clue from the Web

Our first clue as to the sheer speed in the 919 Evo came in April.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Porsche shatters the Nürburgring record we thought was unbreakable," 30 June 2018
Another clue follows in the entry: not a Breakfast at Tiffany’s poster but a dramatic floor-to-ceiling pink peony mural.

— olivia martin, Town & Country, "Delilah Belle Hamlin's Luxurious Dorm Room is a Tribeca Apartment," 28 June 2018
Using clues, individuals and/or groups can hunt on trails for sculptured, stones, mystery objects, plants, and animals while learning about the history and features of the refuge.

— sara ervin walser, Laurel Leader, "Nature programs at Patuxent Research in full swing [South Laurel/Montpelier]," 28 June 2018
When things go wrong, the placenta can hold the promise of answers, clues, and as much closure as is possible in such circumstances.

— tara shafer, Redbook, "I Lost a Baby at 33 Weeks — Now I'm Fighting to Spare Others the Same Pain," 19 June 2018
Palmists believe that itchy hands are a sign of upcoming changes, so stay attuned to this physiological clue, as well.

— aliza kelly faragher, Allure, "A Beginner's Guide to Reading Palms," 4 June 2018
Police spokeswoman Holly Cook says nothing substantial has given them any clues.

— nate eaton, eastidahonews.com, idahostatesman, "Where is Kayla Davis? Search for Idaho woman who fell in Snake River turns up no clues | Idaho Statesman," 23 May 2018
That list of communities above offers a clue: MS-13 has established itself in major metro areas — New York and DC — whose local media outlets have national reach.

— dara lind, Vox, "MS-13, explained," 21 May 2018
No one has any clue what the Pats are going to look like in 2018 after (another) quiet free-agency period, but it’s still Tom Brady under center.

— jonathan jones, SI.com, "The 10 Must-Watch Games on the 2018 NFL Schedule," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clue.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.

Origin and Etymology of clue

alteration of clew

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1665

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

clue Synonyms

Synonyms

cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation, lead, suggestion;

Near Antonyms

answer, solution;

hunch, idea, inspiration, notion;

allusion, implication, inference, innuendo, insinuation;

assistance, nod, prompt, tip, tip-off, wink;

feeling, foreboding, intuition, premonition, presentiment, suspicion;

augury, foreshadower, foretaste, harbinger, omen, portent, prefigurement, presage, symptom;

clue

verb

Definition of clue

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

See clue defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of clue from the Web

One of his instructors was a potter, who clued him into the craft.

— cassie owens, Philly.com, "Throwing down: How this potter from Kensington found fine art success," 26 June 2018
And while visiting Riverdale might seem glamorous — if slightly macabre, given the murders and intrigue that occur in the not-so-quaint town, Camila also clued everyone in to the effects of having to wear heavy makeup on set.

— leah prinzivalli, Teen Vogue, "Camila Mendes Reveals Her Favorite Eyebrow Products," 19 June 2018
Prince Louis's royal christening occurred behind closed chapel doors today, but there is one special aspect of the ceremony the public got clued in on.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "The Royal Family Flew in Special Water for Prince Louis's Christening Today," 10 July 2018
What led you to suspect that there was lead in the water of Flint, Mich.? I was clued in by a high school girlfriend–a drinking-water expert–over a glass of wine at a barbecue at my house.

— belinda luscombe, Time, "The Doctor Who Discovered Lead in Flint's Water on What Went Wrong and How to Fix It," 28 June 2018
Using the search engine’s algorithms along with intel from local experts, Explore will clue you into the best places to hit according to category—whether that’s brunch, sandwiches, or rooftop cocktails.

— marie salcido, Sunset, "Google Maps’ Latest Features Make It the Ultimate Local Travel Resource," 22 Jan. 2018
Uresti was never involved in FourWinds’ day-to-day operations and therefore was not clued into Bates’ actions, the document added.

— patrick danner, San Antonio Express-News, "Prosecutors want Uresti to serve at least 17½ years in prison," 25 June 2018
Presumably, if the measure passes and the sale process proceeds — and before anybody signs anything — there will be public hearings, negotiations, due diligence and all that, with the public clued in each step of the way.

— paul jenkins, Anchorage Daily News, "The ML&P sale could be great for Anchorage, but the process should be more open," 3 Mar. 2018
In April 2017, the embassy clued in all members of its diplomatic corps and advised people to sleep in the middle of a room, away from windows.

— richard stone, Science | AAAS, "Sonic attack or mass paranoia? New evidence stokes debate over diplomats’ mysterious illness," 20 June 2018

First Known Use of clue

1934

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CLUE Defined for English Language Learners

clue

noun

Definition of clue for English Language Learners

: something that helps a person find something, understand something, or solve a mystery or puzzle
: an understanding of something : knowledge about something

CLUE Defined for Kids

clue

noun \ ˈklü \

Definition of clue for Students

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

History for clue

The word clue was originally an alternate spelling of clew, meaning “a ball of thread or yarn.” Our usual modern sense of clue, “something that helps solve a mystery,” grows out of the image of a ball of thread that helps a person to find a way out of a maze. Of stories containing this image, the best known is the Greek myth of Theseus and Ariadne. Ariadne gave the hero Theseus a ball of thread that he unraveled as he searched the labyrinth, or huge maze, of her father, King Minos. After killing the monster in the labyrinth, Theseus retraced his steps by rewinding the thread.