Reading Theme:
Cue Word: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：signal to begin (cue)
cue
/kjuː/
n.
A signal or hint that tells someone when to start or do something.
signal to begin
➕
/ˈsɪɡnəl tu bɪˈɡɪn/
n.
A visual or auditory signal that instructs a person to start a specific action, especially in a performance or coordinated activity.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From French 'queue' (tail), ultimately from Latin 'cauda' (tail).
💡 Mnemonic
Think: "See You? Cue you!" A signal (cue) tells you when it's your turn to be seen (see you) on stage.
📖 Example
The pianist nodded as a cue for the choir to begin singing the next verse.
The pianist nodded to give the signal for the choir to start singing the next verse.
🔗 Collocations
take a cue from – to use someone's actions as a guide for your own
on cue – happening at exactly the right or expected moment
cue card – a card held off-camera with lines for a speaker or performer
🔄 Synonyms
📖 Cultural Story
The word evolved from the literal meaning 'tail' to its theatrical sense of a 'signal'. In the 16th century, 'Q' was written on scripts to indicate when an actor should enter, as an abbreviation for the Latin word 'quando' (when). This mark became known as the 'cue'.
Meaning 2：pool stick (cue)
cue
/kjuː/
n.
A long stick used to hit the ball in games like billiards or pool.
pool stick
➕
/puːl stɪk/
n.
A long, slender, tapering rod used to strike the cue ball in games like pool, billiards, and snooker.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
She placed her cue back in the rack after winning the friendly pool game at the community center.
She returned her pool stick to the rack after winning the friendly pool game at the community center.
🔗 Collocations
chalk the cue – to apply chalk to the tip of the cue to prevent miscues
cue ball – the white ball struck by the cue
cue rack – a stand for holding pool cues
🔄 Synonyms
pool cue (n.) – a cue specifically designed for the game of pool
billiard cue (n.) – a cue used for playing billiards
snooker cue (n.) – a typically lighter and thinner cue used for snooker
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser