Cue Meaning
/ˈkjuː/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe name of the Latin script letter Q/q.
nounA small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for Latin quadrāns (“farthing”)) in the buttery books.
Sentence Examples
Cue cards are used primarily on television to help the actors remember their lines.
I'll take my cue from you.
Jon's arrival was a cue for more champagne.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor waited for his ____ to enter the stage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ cards are used primarily on television to help the actors remember their lines.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English cu (used for half a farthing, from q as an abbreviation for Latin quadrāns (“quarter of an as”)), from Latin cū, kū. Compare French ku.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""My name is Quinn," said Quinn. "Cue-you-eye-en-en.""
— 2008, John Clark Pratt, Vietnam Voices: Perspectives on the War Years, 1941–1975, page 315:
"This time Cudicini was left helpless when Natcho stepped up to expertly curl the ball into the top corner.
That was the cue for further pressure from the Russian side and it took further Cudicini saves to keep the score down."
— 2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:
"When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer."
— c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “A Midsommer Nights Dreame”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
"Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house."
— 1731 (date written; published 1745), [Jonathan] Swift, Directions to Servants […], London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], and M. Cooper, […], →OCLC:
"The episode also opens with an inspired bit of business for Homer, who blithely refuses to acquiesce to an elderly neighbor’s utterly reasonable request that he help make the process of selling her house easier by wearing pants when he gallivants about in front of windows, throw out his impressive collection of rotting Jack-O-Lanterns from previous Halloweens and take out his garbage, as it’s attracting wildlife (cue moose and Northern Exposure theme song)."
— 2012 May 27, Nathan Rabin, “TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992)”, in The Onion AV Club:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor waited for his ____ to enter the stage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
____ cards are used primarily on television to help the actors remember their lines.