cue
/kju/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.75 in modern English
5
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The name of the Latin script letter Q/q.
noun
A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for Latin quadrāns (“farthing”)) in the buttery books.
British usage; Obsolete
noun
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.
noun
A hint or intimation.
Example Sentences
- ""My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en.""
- "This time Cudicini was left helpless when Natcho stepped up to expertly curl the ball into the top corner. That was the cue for further pressure from the Russian side and it took further Cudicini saves to keep the score down."
- "When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer."
- "Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house."
- "Cue the cameraman, and action!"
- "The episode also opens with an inspired bit of business for Homer, who blithely refuses to acquiesce to an elderly neighbor’s utterly reasonable request that he help make the process of selling her house easier by wearing pants when he gallivants about in front of windows, throw out his impressive collection of rotting Jack-O-Lanterns from previous Halloweens and take out his garbage, as it’s attracting wildlife (cue moose and Northern Exposure theme song)."
Etymology
From Middle English cu (used for half a farthing, from q as an abbreviation for Latin quadrāns (“quarter of an as”)), from Latin cū, kū. Compare French ku.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /kju/
- British English: /kjuː/
Usage
- British usage
- Obsolete
- Countable
- Uncountable