# clue

> English word · Noun · IPA /kluː/ · frequency rank #5,306

## Definitions
1. A strand of yarn etc. as used to guide one through a labyrinth; something which points the way, a guide.
2. Information which may lead one to a certain point or conclusion.
3. An object or a kind of indication which may be used as evidence.
4. Insight or understanding ("to have a clue [about]" or "to have clue". See have a clue, clue stick)
5. The text that indicates an answer in a crossword puzzle.

## Etymology
Variant of clew (“a ball of thread or yarn”), from Middle English clewe, from Old English clīewen (“ball”), from Proto-West Germanic *kliuwīn, from Proto-Germanic *kliuwīną, *klewô (“ball, bale”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“to amass, conglomerate; clump, ball, bale”). Sense evolution with reference to the one which the mythical Theseus used to guide him out of the Minotaur's labyrinth. More at clew.

## Easily confused with
- **CU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cu)
- **cut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cut)
- **cup** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cup)
- **cum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cum)
- **cuz** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cuz)
- **cue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cue)
- **CPU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cpu)
- **Cub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cub)
- **Coe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-coe)
- **CSU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-csu)
- **cur** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cur)
- **CME** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cme)
- **CTE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cte)
- **Cui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cui)
- **cru** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cru)
- **CSE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cse)
- **come** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-come)
- **code** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-code)
- **core** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-core)
- **cute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/clue-vs-cute)

## Common misspellings (5)
`cclue`, `cleu`, `cllue`, `cule`, `lcue`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/clue