Cue Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Published on March 7, 2024
Cue refers a signal or prompt for action, often used in performances to indicate when something should begin. e.g., The actor waited for his cue to enter the stage.
Table of Contents
Cue Definitions
The point at which something begins.
The opening notes of the song were the cue for everyone to start dancing.
A sign that tells someone to take a specific action.
The director gave the cue to start the scene.
A subtle sign that suggests something.
His smile was the cue for her to continue her story.
A reminder or signal for an actor to begin their part.
She missed her cue and entered the scene late.
A stick used to strike the ball in games like pool.
He chalked his cue before taking the shot.
The main ball that is struck with the cue stick.
He expertly maneuvered the cue ball around the table.
A command that activates a device or process.
The technician set the cue for the lights to dim.
A factor that influences someone's actions or decisions.
Social cues play a big role in interpersonal communication.
A specific point at which music or sound effects are introduced in a performance.
The thunderclap sound effect was on cue as the villain entered.
A physical or visual sign that indicates something.
The marker was the cue for runners to turn.
The part one has to perform in, or as in, a play.
Were it my cueto fight, I should have known itWithout a prompter.
A long tapered stick with a leather tip used to strike the cue ball in billiards and pool.
A long stick with a concave attachment at one end for shoving disks in shuffleboard.
(Nonstandard) Variant of queue.
A signal, such as a word or action, used to prompt another event in a performance, such as an actor's speech or entrance, a change in lighting, or a sound effect.
A reminder or prompting.
A hint or suggestion.
An extract from the music for another part printed, usually in smaller notes, within a performer's part as a signal to enter after a long rest.
A gesture by a conductor signaling the entrance of a performer or part.
(Psychology) A stimulus, either consciously or unconsciously perceived, that elicits or signals a type of behavior.
(Archaic) One's assigned role or function.
(Archaic) A mood; a disposition.
The letter q.
(Games) To strike (a ball) with a cue.
(Nonstandard) Variant of queue.
To give a cue to; signal or prompt.
To insert into the sequence of a performance
Cued the lights for the monologue scene.
To position (an audio or video recording) in readiness for playing
Cue up a record on the turntable.
A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for farthing) in the buttery books.
An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.
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.
A marker or signal that triggers something, such as the start of an audio recording.
A hint or intimation.
(obsolete) Humour; temper of mind.
A straight tapering stick used to hit the balls in various games.
(obsolete) The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
To give someone a cue signal.
Cue the cameraman, and action!
To spark or provoke.
To take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.
To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next succeeding player to speak; any word or words which serve to remind a player to speak or to do something; a catchword.
When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
A hint or intimation.
Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.
Humor; temper of mind.
A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in playing billiards.
A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing.
Hast thou wornGowns in the university, tossed logic,Sucked philosophy, eat cues?
To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
An actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
Evidence that helps to solve a problem
A stimulus that provides information about what to do
Sports implement consisting of a tapering rod used to strike a cue ball in pool or billiards
Assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned
Cue Snonyms
Signal
A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions.
The director gave the signal to start the show.
Sign
An object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or occurrence of something else.
Dark clouds are a sign of rain.
Indicator
A thing, especially a trend or fact, that indicates the state or level of something.
Falling sales figures were an indicator of the company's health.
Clue
A piece of evidence or information used in the detection of a crime or solving of a mystery.
The detective found a clue that helped solve the case.
Nudge
A gentle push or prod, typically with one's elbow, in order to draw attention to something.
He gave her a nudge when it was time to leave.
Hint
A slight indication or intimation about something.
She gave him a hint to get him started on the puzzle.
Trigger
A small device that releases a spring or catch and so sets off a mechanism.
The sound was the trigger for the dog's excitement.
Reminder
Something that causes someone to remember something.
The photo was a reminder of her childhood.
Prompt
An act of stimulating or reminding someone to do something.
The buzzer served as a prompt for the actors to enter the stage.
Gesture
A movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning.
His gesture indicated that he was ready.
Cue Idioms & Phrases
Miss one's cue
To fail to act or respond at the appropriate time.
He missed his cue to enter the debate, losing a prime opportunity to make his point.
On cue
Happening exactly at the moment it is expected to.
The rain started on cue as they stepped outside.
Right on cue
Happening exactly when expected or needed.
As if right on cue, the rain started just as they finished the outdoor ceremony.
Pick up on someone's cue
To understand and act on a hint or signal from someone.
He picked up on her cue to leave the party early.
Take one's cue from
To follow someone's lead or example.
She took her cue from her mentor and approached the project with caution.
Cue up
To prepare or arrange something to happen or be used.
The DJ cued up the next track as the crowd danced.
Take one's cue from someone
To follow someone's lead or example.
He took his cue from the director and started the performance.
Miss the cue
To fail to act at the appropriate time.
She missed the cue to enter the stage and threw off the whole scene.
Cue the music
To start playing music at the right moment.
As soon as they announced the winner, they cued the music for the celebration.
Get the cue
To understand what is expected and act accordingly.
Once he got the cue, he started the engine and the race began.
Cue the applause
To signal that it's the appropriate time for applause.
After the moving speech, the host cued the applause.
Cue in
To signal someone to begin.
The speaker was cued in by the host's introduction.
Jump the cue
To act too soon or before it's your turn.
In his eagerness, he jumped the cue and started answering before the question was fully asked.
Cue into
To become aware or informed about something.
He finally cued into the fact that they were planning a surprise party for him.
Cue for action
A signal that prompts immediate action.
The sudden blackout was the cue for action, and the emergency team sprang into motion.
Wait for one's cue
To wait for the right moment to act.
The actors waited for their cue before making their dramatic entrance.
Take the cue to heart
To take a hint or suggestion seriously and act on it.
She took his comments as a cue to heart and improved her design.
Send someone their cue
To give someone the signal to start or proceed.
The lighting technician sent the actors their cue to enter.
Give someone their cue
To signal someone that it's their turn to act.
The conductor gave the soloist her cue.
Behind the cue ball
To be in a difficult or disadvantageous position.
After missing the deadline, he felt like he was behind the cue ball.
Cue someone off
To discreetly signal someone to stop or exit.
She cued him off when the discussion started to go off-topic.
Cue the lights
To signal for the stage or set lights to be turned on or adjusted.
As the scene changed, the director cued the lights to dim.
Cue Example Sentences
He polished his cue before the pool tournament.
The flashing light was our cue to start the presentation.
The conductor raised his baton, giving the orchestra their cue.
The comedian took the audience's laughter as a cue to continue with his jokes.
He took her nod as a cue to proceed with the plan.
On cue, the fireworks lit up the night sky.
The bell served as a cue for students to enter the classroom.
She nervously awaited her cue to speak.
The actors rehearsed their cues diligently.
The director called "action" as the cue for filming to begin.
The dancer missed her cue and scrambled to catch up.
She used visual cues to teach the children.
The speaker used his notes as a cue for his speech.
He lined up the cue ball for his next shot.
The director gave a subtle cue with his hand.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide cue into syllables?
Since cue has only one syllable, it is not divided.
What is a stressed syllable in cue?
The entire word "cue" is stressed, as it consists of only one syllable.
What is the verb form of cue?
Cue itself can function as a verb, e.g., "to cue someone to start."
What is the pronunciation of cue?
Cue is pronounced as /kjuː/.
How many syllables are in cue?
Cue has one syllable.
What is the first form of cue?
The first form of "cue" is "cue."
What is another term for cue?
Another term for "cue" can be "signal" or "prompt."
Why is it called cue?
"Cue" comes from the Latin word "quando," meaning "when," which evolved in theatrical use to indicate "when" an action should be performed.
How is cue used in a sentence?
Cue is often used to describe a signal or prompt, e.g., Wait for your cue before you start.
What is the plural form of cue?
The plural form of "cue" is "cues."
Is cue an adverb?
No, cue is not an adverb.
Is cue an abstract noun?
As a noun, cue refers to a concrete signal or prompt, so it is not abstract.
Is cue a vowel or consonant?
The word "cue" starts with a consonant sound.
Is cue a countable noun?
Yes, as a noun, "cue" is countable.
Is the word cue imperative?
Cue can be used in the imperative form when giving a command, e.g., "Cue the music."
What is the root word of cue?
The root word of "cue" is the Latin "quando," but the term as we use it today has been influenced by its theatrical application.
What part of speech is cue?
Cue can be both a noun (indicating a signal) and a verb (indicating the action of signaling).
What is the singular form of cue?
The singular form is "cue."
Is cue a negative or positive word?
Cue is neutral; its connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
Is the cue term a metaphor?
The term "cue" can be used metaphorically to indicate a signal or prompt in non-theatrical contexts.
Is the word “cue” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Cue" can serve as a direct object in a sentence, e.g., "Give me a cue when to start."
Which vowel is used before cue?
Articles like "a" or "the" can precede "cue," depending on the sentence structure.
What is the second form of cue?
The second form of "cue" is "cued."
What is the third form of cue?
The third form of "cue" is also "cued."
What is the opposite of cue?
The opposite of "cue" might be "mislead" or "disregard," depending on the context.
Which preposition is used with cue?
Prepositions such as "for" and "to" are commonly used with "cue," e.g., "wait for the cue" or "cue to start."
Which conjunction is used with cue?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" can be used with "cue" in complex sentences.
Is cue a collective noun?
No, cue is not a collective noun.
Which article is used with cue?
The articles "a" or "the" can be used with "cue," depending on whether it is used in a specific or general context.
Is cue a noun or adjective?
Cue is primarily a noun but can also function as a verb.
Is the word cue a Gerund?
"Cueing" or "cueing up" can function as a gerund when used as a noun.
Which determiner is used with cue?
Determiners such as "a," "the," or possessive pronouns like "my" can be used with "cue."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
