clue

Meaning

Noun

1. A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
2. Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
3. An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
4. Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)

Verb

1. To provide with a clue.
2. To provide someone with information which they lack (often used with "in" or "up").
3. Alternative form of clew

Synonyms

hint

trace

clew

key

🔑

inkling

tip

cue

lead

sign

scent

track

beginning

thread

🧵

intimation

spin

spoor

token

device

omen

insight

trail

indication

knot

🪢

vestige

portent

evidence

plan

pointer

presentiment

ratchet

revolve

rotate

run

scintilla

section

signal

solution

spur

start

steer

strand

suggestion

swirl

symptom

tip-off

troll

🧌

tumble

turn

twiddle

twirl

way

whirl

whirlpool

wind

yarn

🧶

mill about

small amount

whirl around

thread end

vital point

something to rely on

information

search

hidden point

sympton

advice

aid

allusion

catch

confidential information

contrivance

crewel

crux

denotation

edge

end

🔚

filament

footprint

👣

foreboding

game

get around

harbinger

hitch

index

jot

mark

means

mill

misgiving

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kluː/

Etymology

Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clewe, from Old English clīewen (“ball”), from Proto-West Germanic *kliuwīn, from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô (“ball, bale”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“to amass, conglomerate; clump, ball, bale”). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew.