Cue Meaning
Cue Definition & Usage
A signal or prompt for action, especially in performance arts, to indicate when to begin or change something.
Examples
- "The actor missed his cue and entered late on stage."
- "The director gave a subtle cue, and the actors began their dance sequence."
- "The pianist looked for a cue from the conductor before starting the next piece."
- "The singer waited for the cue before launching into her solo."
- "During the rehearsal, the stage manager called out the cue for the lighting change."
A hint or signal that helps someone to understand something or to find a solution.
Examples
- "The detective found a cue in the victim's notes that led him to the killer."
- "Her comment about the missing book was a cue that she knew more than she was letting on."
- "He was trying to pick up on the subtle cues that his boss was unhappy with his performance."
- "The conversation gave me a cue to change the subject before things got awkward."
- "The expression on her face was a cue that she wasn’t pleased with the decision."
To give a signal or prompt to someone to begin or act.
Examples
- "She cued the orchestra to start playing with a simple wave of her hand."
- "The director cued the actors to begin the scene."
- "The teacher cued the class to quiet down before the test."
- "At the concert, the lead guitarist cued the band to start the next song."
- "He cued his dog to sit with a simple hand gesture."
Cultural Context
The word 'cue' is widely used in the arts, particularly in theater, music, and film production, where timing and synchronization are crucial. Its use has extended to everyday language, symbolizing any kind of hint or signal that prompts a response.
The Silent Cue
Story
The Silent Cue
It was opening night at the theater, and the cast was buzzing backstage, filled with nervous energy. Eliza, the lead actress, stood in front of the mirror, trying to calm her racing heart. The audience’s murmurs seeped through the walls as she rehearsed her lines in her head. She knew the script by heart, but there was something else she had to pay attention to tonight: the cues. Her co-star, Greg, entered the dressing room with a grin. 'Ready for the cue?' he asked, winking. He had a habit of keeping the mood light before the show. Eliza smiled back but nodded seriously. 'It’s all about timing. One wrong cue, and we could throw off the entire performance.' The play was a complex, fast-paced drama, and every scene depended on precise cues. The director had already warned them—any missed cue could ruin the illusion. Eliza knew she had to stay alert. Just before the opening act, the lights dimmed, and the orchestra began to play. Eliza stood in the wings, waiting for her cue. The conductor raised his baton, and from the corner of her eye, she caught a subtle hand gesture from the stage manager. It was time. As she stepped onto the stage, the crowd’s energy enveloped her. She took a deep breath and began her first lines without hesitation. Mid-scene, she spotted Greg, who was looking at her with an almost imperceptible nod. It was the cue she had been waiting for. Without breaking character, she moved to the next part of the scene. Backstage, the stage manager was pacing, keeping an eye on the actors and cues. It wasn’t just the actors who had to stay in sync—everything, from the lighting to the music, relied on perfect timing. When Eliza heard the cue for the lighting change, she made her move, knowing the lighting would shift just as her dialogue ended. As the final act approached, Eliza couldn’t help but reflect on how many cues she had taken that night—both obvious and subtle. In life, too, she thought, it wasn’t always the loudest signals that mattered. Sometimes, it was the quiet moments that held the most meaning. The curtain fell to thunderous applause. Eliza took a bow, grateful for the cues that had guided her through the performance—and for the lessons learned both on and off the stage.
Related Words
