/ kjuː; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
~ (for sth) | ~ (to do sth) an action or event that is a signal for sb to do sth :
Jon's arrival was a cue for more champagne.
I think that's my cue to explain why I'm here.
2.
a few words or an action in a play that is a signal for another actor to do sth :
She stood in the wings and waited for her cue to go on.
3.
a long wooden stick with a leather tip, used for hitting the ball in the games of billiards , pool and snooker
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IDIOMS
- (right) on cue
- take your cue from sb/sth
■ verb
( cue·ing , cued , cued ) [ vn ] to give sb a signal so they know when to start doing sth :
Can you cue me when you want me to begin speaking?
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WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 2 and verb mid 16th cent.: of unknown origin.
noun sense 3 mid 18th cent. (denoting a long plait or pigtail): variant of queue .