cue
cue Lexical Profile
cue Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A word, action, or signal given to an actor or performer to enter or begin speaking; more broadly, any signal or hint that prompts someone to act.
"The sudden drop in conversation was our cue to leave the party."
A long, tapered wooden or composite rod used to strike the ball in billiards, pool, and snooker.
"She chalked the tip of her cue carefully before lining up the final shot."
• verb
To give a signal or prompt to an actor, musician, or other person to begin an action or speech.
"The stage manager cued the lighting technician right as the curtain rose."
To set a piece of audio or video equipment in readiness to play a particular section.
"The sound engineer cued the opening track for the radio broadcast."
To strike a ball with a cue stick in billiards, pool, or snooker.
"He cued the ball smoothly to sink the winning shot into the corner pocket."
Word Nuance & Usage
Easily confused with its homophone 'queue', which refers to a line of waiting people or items rather than a signal or a billiards stick.
• Rhymes for cue
Word Origin & Etymology
The theatrical sense dates to the mid-16th century, traditionally derived from the letter 'Q' (representing Latin 'quando', meaning 'when') marked on actors' scripts to indicate when to enter. The billiards sense is a variant of 'queue', from Old French 'cue' and Latin 'cauda', meaning 'tail'.