Clues — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈklü/

Meaning & Definition of Clues

Clues (noun)

  1. something that guides through an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties; specifically, a piece of evidence that leads toward the solution of a problem
  2. idea, notion

Clues (verb)

  1. to provide with a clue
  2. to give reliable information to
  3. to give information to (someone) —often + on —often used as clued in

Clues (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)

    "vainly searched for a clue to the answer"

    similar: cues, hints, indications, inklings, intimations, leads, suggestions
    related: breaths, flickers, glimmers, glimpses, mentions, scents, whiffs, winds, hunches, ideas, inspirations, notions, allusions, implications, inferences, innuendos, insinuations, denotations, evidences, guideposts, keys, marks, overtones, pointers, signals, signs, telltales, tokens, assistances, nods, prompts, tip-offs, tips, winks, feelings, forebodings, intuitions, premonitions, presentiments, suspicions, auguries, foreshadowers, foretastes, harbingers, omens, portents, prefigurements, presages, symptoms
    near: answers, solutions

Clues (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in tells, informs

    similar: acquaints, advises, apprises, briefs, enlightens, familiarizes, fills in, informs, instructs, notifies, tells, wises (up), gets through (to), buzzes, calls, phones, rings (up) (chiefly British), telephones, addresses, communicates (with), contacts, gets, reaches, keeps up (with)

Related Entry: Clue (noun)

Clue is a different word from Clues. The synonyms below are for clue, not for clues.

  1. a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)

    "vainly searched for a clue to the answer"

    similar: cue, hint, indication, inkling, intimation, lead, suggestion
    related: breath, flicker, glimmer, glimpse, mention, scent, whiff, wind, hunch, idea, inspiration, notion, allusion, implication, inference, innuendo, insinuation, denotation, evidence, guidepost, key, mark, overtone, pointer, sign, signal, telltale, token, assistance, nod, prompt, tip, tip-off, wink, feeling, foreboding, intuition, premonition, presentiment, suspicion, augury, foreshadower, foretaste, harbinger, omen, portent, prefigurement, presage, symptom
    near: answer, solution

Related Entry: Clue (in) (verb)

Clue (in) is a different word from Clues. The synonyms below are for clue (in), not for clues.

  1. to give information to

    "would you clue him in on the plan?"

    similar: acquaint, advise, apprise, brief, catch up, clear, enlighten, familiarize, fill in, hip, inform, instruct, tell, verse, wise (up), keep (someone) posted, let someone know
    related: advertise, alert, notify, announce (to), disclose (to), assure, certify, convince, reassure, warrant, educate, lecture, school, teach, tutor, disabuse, disenchant, disillusion, undeceive
    near: misinform, mislead

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Clues

The most common words with a similar meaning to Clues:

Chiefly British: rings (up)
cues, hints, indications, inklings, intimations, leads, suggestions, acquaints, advises, apprises, briefs, enlightens, familiarizes, fills in, informs, instructs, notifies, tells, wises (up), gets through (to), buzzes, calls, phones, telephones, addresses, communicates (with), contacts, gets, reaches, keeps up (with)

Related Words for Clues

breaths, flickers, glimmers, glimpses, mentions, scents, whiffs, winds, hunches, ideas, inspirations, notions, allusions, implications, inferences, innuendos, insinuations, denotations, evidences, guideposts, keys, marks, overtones, pointers, signals, signs, telltales, tokens, assistances, nods

Near Antonyms of Clues

answers, solutions

Word Forms of Clues

Inflections: clued, clueing, cluing, clued in, clueing in, cluing in, clues in

Origin & Etymology of Clues

alteration of clew

First known use: circa 1665

Frequently Asked Questions about Clues

What does "Clues" mean?

"Clues" means something that guides through an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties; specifically, a piece of evidence that leads toward the solution of a problem. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: something that guides through an intricate procedure or maze of difficulties; specifically, a piece of evidence that leads toward the solution of a problem. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Clues"?

Other words for "Clues" include cues, hints, indications, inklings, intimations, leads, suggestions and acquaints. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Clues" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Clues"?

There are 80 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Clues". Common alternatives include cues, hints, indications, inklings, intimations, leads, suggestions, acquaints, advises and apprises.

How do you use "Clues" in a sentence?

Examples of "Clues" in a sentence: "vainly searched for a clue to the answer".

Is "Clues" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Clues" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Clues"?

"Clues" is pronounced /ˈklü/.

What is the origin of the word "Clues"?

"Clues" comes from alteration of clew. First known use: circa 1665.

What is another word for "Clues" meaning "a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation)"?

When "Clues" (noun) means a slight or indirect pointing to something (as a solution or explanation), synonyms include cues, hints, indications, inklings, intimations and leads.