clue

clue
1 noun (C)
1 an object or piece of information that helps someone solve a crime or mystery: He didn't know who had sent the letter, and the envelope provided no clue.
(+ to/about): We now have a clue to the time at which the murder took place. | search for clues: Our search for clues proved fruitless.
2 a question that you must solve in order to find the answer to a crossword or puzzle 2 (2): give sb a clue: I'll give you a clue, Kevin, it's a kind of bird.
3 not have a clue informal
a) to know nothing at all about the answer to a question or about how to do something: -Do you know how to switch this thing off?--I'm afraid I haven't got a clue.- | not have a clue where/why etc: We haven't got a clue where they could have disappeared to.
b) to be very stupid, or very bad at a particular activity: Myra just hits her kids when they start crying; she hasn't got a clue.
 (+ about): No point asking Jill, she hasn't got a clue about maths. | not have a clue how/why etc: Evans hasn't got a clue how to get on with people.
4 a reason why something happens that you find by studying events, someone's behaviour etc: Childhood experiences may provide a clue as to why some adults develop phobias.
2 verb clue sb in phrasal verb (T) informal to give someone information about something: Mark clued me in on how the computer system works.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clue — may refer to: Cluedo (known as Clue in North America), a crime fiction board game Clue (video game), based on the board game Clue (musical), based on the board game Clue (book series), based on the board game Clue (film), based on the board game… …   Wikipedia

  • Clue — (kl[=u]), n. [See {Clew}, n.] A ball of thread; a thread or other means of guidance. Same as {Clew}. [1913 Webster] You have wound a goodly clue. Shak. [1913 Webster] This clue once found unravels all the rest. Pope. [1913 Webster] Serve as clues …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clue — ► NOUN ▪ a fact or piece of evidence that helps to clarify a mystery or solve a problem. ► VERB (clues, clued, clueing) (clue in) informal ▪ inform. ● not have a clue Cf. ↑not have a clue …   English terms dictionary

  • clue in — clue (someone) in to give someone information they need or want. I asked David to clue us in on what needed to be done first. He hung the painting to clue in visitors that this was a different kind of place …   New idioms dictionary

  • clue — clue; clue·less; clue·less·ly; …   English syllables

  • clue — [n] hint, evidence cue, dead giveaway*, hot lead*, indication, inkling, intimation, key, lead, mark, notion, pointer, print, proof, sign, solution, suggestion, suspicion, telltale, tip, tip off*, trace, track, wind; concept 274 clue [v] give… …   New thesaurus

  • clue — [klo͞o] n. [var. of CLEW] something that leads out of a perplexity; esp., a fact or object that helps to solve a problem or mystery vt. clued, cluing 1. to indicate by or as by a clue ☆ 2. Informal to provide with the necessary information: often …   English World dictionary

  • clue — I noun data, evidence, finding, guide, hint, idea, index, indication, indicator, information, inkling, insinuation, intimation, key, lead, mark, reason to believe, scent, sign, signal, token II index catchword, hint (noun), hint (verb), indicant …   Law dictionary

  • clue — [kly] n. f. ÉTYM. 1956; mot provençal, de même origine que cluse. ❖ ♦ Géogr. et régional (rare). Cluse en canyon. || Les clues de Haute Provence …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Clue — clue, cluse, cluso nf enceinte fermée par des rochers escarpés; gorge fermée; passage resserré …   Glossaire des noms topographiques en France

  • Clue — trademark the US name for the game ↑Cluedo …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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