- an object, a piece of evidence or some information that helps the police solve a crime
- The burglar left no clues.
- clue about something They are searching for clues about the kidnapping.
- clue (as) to something The police think the CCTV recording may offer clues to the identity of the killer.
Extra ExamplesTopics Crime and punishmentb1- So far, the police haven't got any clues as to the motive for the crime.
- The hat gives a clue to the identity of the killer.
- The letter yielded no clues.
- We must have missed some vital clue.
- a clue as to her whereabouts
- Is there any clue as to how the burglars entered the building?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- important
- useful
- …
- contain
- have
- hold
- …
- clue about
- clue (as) to
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- a fact or a piece of evidence that helps you discover the answer to a problem
- clue about something This data may provide clues about the current economic situation.
- The trailer gives a few important clues about the film's plot.
- clue (as) to something Diet may hold the clue to the causes of migraine.
- The text offers few clues as to his identity.
Extra Examples- The picture contains subtle clues about the site's history.
- This research might provide an important clue about how cancer develops.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- important
- useful
- …
- contain
- have
- hold
- …
- clue about
- clue (as) to
- some words or a piece of information that helps you find the answers to a crossword, a game or a question
- ‘You'll never guess who I saw today!’ ‘Give me a clue.’
- a cryptic clue (= one that has a hidden meaning) from a crossword
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- important
- useful
- …
- contain
- have
- hold
- …
- clue about
- clue (as) to
Word Originlate Middle English: variant of clew. The original sense was ‘a ball of thread’; this was used to guide a person out of a labyrinth. Sense (1) dates from the early 17th cent.
Idioms
See clue in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee clue in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishnot have a clue (informal)
- to know nothing about something or about how to do something
- I don't have a clue where she lives.
- (disapproving) to be very stupid
- Don't ask him to do it—he doesn't have a clue!
Check pronunciation:
clue