clue
B1Neutral; used across all registers from informal to formal, though specific phrasal uses (e.g., 'clueless') are more informal.
Definition
Meaning
A piece of evidence or information that helps in solving a problem or mystery.
Used more broadly to mean a general understanding or idea about something (e.g., 'I haven't a clue'), or as a verb meaning to provide someone with such information.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily associated with problem-solving, detective work, and puzzles. The verb form is more common in British English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The verb 'to clue (someone) in' is chiefly American. The phrase 'clue up' (to inform) is British. The negative 'I haven't a clue' is more British; 'I have no clue' is common in both but slightly more American.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. The adjective 'clued-up' (knowledgeable) is more established in British English.
Frequency
Noun form is equally frequent. Verb usage ('clue in', 'clue up') shows regional preference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
clue to somethingclue about somethingclue as to somethingclue (someone) in on somethingclue (someone) up about somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not have a clue”
- “clue someone in”
- “clueless (adjective)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The sales figures gave us a crucial clue about market trends."
Academic
"The manuscript provided a vital clue to the author's earlier philosophical influences."
Everyday
"Can you give me a clue what I should buy for her birthday?"
Technical
"The debug log file contained a clue to the source of the software error."
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She quickly clued me up on the office protocols.
- The email should clue everyone in about the schedule change.
American English
- Can you clue me in on what happened at the meeting?
- He clued the new team member in about the project history.
adjective
British English
- He's very clued-up on tax law.
- They're a clued-in audience, so don't oversimplify.
American English
- She's incredibly clued-in about the startup scene.
- For a clued-up analysis, read her blog.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The detective looked for a clue.
- I need a clue to solve this riddle.
- He gave me a clue about the surprise.
- The map had a clue written on the back.
- I haven't got a clue where my keys are.
- Her expression was the first clue that something was wrong.
- Archaeologists discovered a clue that could rewrite the timeline of the settlement.
- The report offers few clues as to the company's future strategy.
- He's completely clueless when it comes to fixing computers.
- The sudden liquidity in the market provided the central bank with a crucial clue about investor sentiment.
- Her thesis is clued into the latest postmodern critiques of the genre.
- The poem is dense, offering the reader only the faintest clue to its autobiographical origins.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a detective finding a small, glowing blue gem at a crime scene. 'CLUE' sounds like 'blue' - the BLUE gem is the CLUE that solves the case.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/UNDERSTANDING IS LIGHT (e.g., 'shed light on', 'see the light'). A clue illuminates a path through darkness (ignorance).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'clue' as 'ключ' (key) in most contexts. Use 'подсказка', 'нить', 'улика' (for crime).
- The phrase 'I haven't a clue' is an idiom meaning complete ignorance, not just lacking a single piece of information.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I have no clue about it.' (This is actually acceptable in AmE). More common mistake: Using 'clue' as a direct synonym for 'answer' or 'solution'. A clue leads *towards* the solution.
- Incorrect preposition: 'clue for solving' is less idiomatic than 'clue to solving' or 'clue about how to solve'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'clue'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core use is in problem-solving contexts, it's used broadly for any helpful piece of information. The phrase 'I haven't a clue' is a very common idiom expressing ignorance on any topic.
A 'hint' is often given deliberately to help someone, often indirectly. A 'clue' is often something discovered or observed that serves as evidence. A clue is more objective; a hint is more suggestive. They are often interchangeable, but 'clue' is stronger in detective contexts.
Yes, 'clueless' as an adjective meaning 'completely ignorant or uninformed' is informal. In formal writing, alternatives like 'uninformed', 'ignorant of the facts', or 'lacking knowledge' are preferred.
Yes, but primarily in phrasal verbs. 'Clue someone in' (AmE) and 'clue someone up' (BrE) both mean to inform or give someone essential information. The standalone verb 'to clue' is rare.
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