A cluea piece of information or sign that helps solve a problem is a piece of information that helps you figure something out, or a small sign that points to an answer. It can also mean a slight hint. As a verb, clue can mean to roll something into a ball, though that usagethe way a word or expression is used in language is rarenot happening often; uncommon today.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /klu/
Easy pronunciation: KLOO (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress is on the only syllable.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Clue Meaning
a piece of information that helps you find the answer
Part of speech: noun
Definition: evidence that helps to solve a problem
Example: The detective found a clue that led to the missing key.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cue — Can work in some contexts, but it is less direct than clue and often means a signal or prompt.
- hint — Works when clue means a small sign or indication, but it is weaker than clue for investigative evidence.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Clue
Meaning 2
a small sign or hint
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a slight indication
Example: Her expression gave me a clue that something was wrong.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- hint — A natural substitute when clue means a small indication.
Meaning 3
to twist or wind into a ball
Part of speech: verb
Definition: roll into a ball
Example: This sense is old-fashioned: to clue yarn into a ball.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- clew — Historical spelling and verb form related to this older meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Clue Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- hint
evidence that helps solve a problem
- cue
- hint
a slight indication
- hint
roll into a ball
- clew
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse clue with clew. Clew is the older spelling and can relate to a different, less common verb sense.
- Clue does not usually mean a direct answer; it means information that helps you get to the answer.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does clue mean?
Clue usually means a piece of information that helps you solve a problem or figure something out. It can also mean a small sign or hint.
What is a synonym for clue?
Hint is the closest everyday synonym in the sense of a small sign. For the problem-solving sense, cue can sometimes work, but clue is more specific.
Is clue a noun or a verb?
Clue is usually a noun. It can also be a verb meaning to roll into a ball, but that use is rare and old-fashioned.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-17. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.