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DictionarycueSignal to act
noun / verb

cue

KYOO/kjuː/

A signal prompting someone to act or respond.

The prompter's raised hand gives the actor a cue to begin speaking.

At a modern theater rehearsal, an offstage prompter gives a clear raised-hand cue, and an actor turns toward him and begins his line.
Etymology

Origin uncertain. Cue first named the end of an actor's speech that prompted a reply; proposed explanations of the spelling remain disputed.

In context

Colchester Zoo1:50
when we ask him for the behaviour we'll do a hand signal but he'll also get a verbal cue
Primate Keeper Katherine Training Programme

More examples

  • The conductor cues the trumpets with a nod.
  • Her yawn was my cue to leave.
  • We take our cues from the team leader.

Forms

cue · cues · cued · cueing · cuing

Similar words

signal
A broader term for conveying information, not necessarily prompting action.
prompt
Emphasizes encouraging a response rather than marking when to act.