cue — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The name of the Latin script letter Q/q.

   Examples

   "My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en."

2. A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for Latin quadrāns (“farthing”)) in the buttery books.

   Usage

   • UK usage
   • Obsolete

Noun

1. An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   This time Cudicini was left helpless when Natcho stepped up to expertly curl the ball into the top corner. That was the cue for further pressure from the Russian side and it took further Cudicini saves to keep the score down.

2. The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next actor to speak; any word or words which serve to remind an actor to speak or to do something; a catchword.

   Examples

   When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.

3. A marker or signal that triggers something, such as the start of an audio recording.

4. A hint or intimation.

   Examples

   Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.

5. Humour; temper of mind.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

Verb

1. To give someone a cue signal.

   Examples

   Cue the cameraman, and action!

   More examples (1)

   The episode also opens with an inspired bit of business for Homer, who blithely refuses to acquiesce to an elderly neighbor’s utterly reasonable request that he help make the process of selling her house easier by wearing pants when he gallivants about in front of windows, throw out his impressive collection of rotting Jack-O-Lanterns from previous Halloweens and take out his garbage, as it’s attracting wildlife (cue moose and Northern Exposure theme song).

2. To spark or provoke.

   Usage

   • broadly

   Examples

   These techniques can cue an open dialogue with your interviewer.

   More examples (1)

   The teenager, as beloved a full-back as any in these parts since Danny McGrain was tearing it up, cut in, shot and saw his attempt deflected in off Sterling's boot. Cue more pandemonium.

Noun

1. A straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.

2. The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.

   Usage

   • Obsolete

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Fat, short, radiant, General Chattesworth—in full, artillery uniform—was there, smiling, and making little speeches to the ladies, and bowing stiffly from his hips upward—his great cue playing all the time up and down his back, and sometimes so near the ground when he stood erect and threw back his head, that Toole, seeing Juno eyeing the appendage rather viciously, thought it prudent to cut her speculations short with a smart kick.

Verb

1. To take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.

2. To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.

Noun

1. an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech

   Broader terms

   actor's linespeechwords

2. evidence that helps to solve a problem

   Synonyms

   clueclew

   Broader terms

   evidence

3. a stimulus that provides information about what to do

   Synonyms

   discriminative stimulus

   Broader terms

   stimulationstimulusstimulantinput

4. sports implement consisting of a tapering rod used to strike a cue ball in pool or billiards

   Synonyms

   cue stickpool cuepool stick

   Broader terms

   sports implement

Verb

1. assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned

   Synonyms

   promptremind

   Broader terms

   inform