cue or queue

Cue and queue are two words that are, surprisingly, pronounced exactly the same. A cue is a sign or signal, an indication that something should happen.

“Carlos took Maria’s nod as a cue that he could join her at the table.” 

Queue is a synonym for line – the kind of line you stand in when you are waiting for something. It is used in British English, but usually not in American English.

“The queue was so long that they decided to do something else.” 

It’s also used as a verb – to queue up, or line up.

As a noun, cue means a signal, alert or hint used to inform somebody to do something.

"He missed his cue, hence, his performance had a bad start."

Queue refers to a long line up of people, things, animals etc with each person waiting for their turn.

"I couldn't see the movie even after standing on the ticket queue for several hours."

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• epitomy vs epitome
• ninty vs ninety
• warmongerer vs warmonger
• grammer vs grammar
• epic vs epoch
• stood vs stayed
• seam vs seem
• appauled vs appalled
• flys vs flies
• benefactor vs beneficiary

Definitions

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• n  an actor's line that immediately precedes and serves as a reminder for some action or speech
• n  evidence that helps to solve a problem
• n  a stimulus that provides information about what to do
• n  sports implement consisting of a tapering rod used to strike a cue ball in pool or billiards
• v  assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned

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• n  a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
• n  (information processing) an ordered list of tasks to be performed or messages to be transmitted
• n  a braid of hair at the back of the head
• v  form a queue, form a line, stand in line

News & Articles

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• Cue: Jobs was initially opposed to iBookstore concept
  In further testimony on the last day this week of the Department of Justice e-book price-fixing trial, Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue told the judge that Steve Jobs had been initially opposed to the idea that became the iBookstore -- not believing that the tablet would be an ideal device for reading compared to dedicated e-readers such as the Kindle. Cue ...
  June 14, 2013 - MacNN
• Eddy Cue takes the stand in e-book price fixing case
  Apple executive Eddy Cue didn't get a chance to enjoy WWDC in its entirety because earlier today he was in New York City testifying about Apple's dealings with book publishers amid allegations that Apple colluded with publishers to artificially raise the price of e-books across the industry. While on the stand, Cue didn't deny that the price of e-books had risen in the wake of Apple getting into ...
  June 14, 2013 - The Unofficial Apple Weblog
• Eddy Cue: Apple's star witness in the e-book antitrust trial
  Cue was at the center of what the DOJ calls an illegal scheme to fix the price of e-books.
  June 13, 2013 - CNN Money

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• Special Report: Egypt's Brotherhood turns to flour power
  By Tom Perry and Abdel Rahman Youssef ALEXANDRIA (Reuters) - The bread queue can be a dangerous and dishonest place in Egypt. People have killed over state-subsidized loaves. Corruption blights much of the trade. The problems, says the ruling Muslim Brotherhood, are why it has introduced a new way to deliver bread - safely and cleanly - from bakeries to homes. ...
  June 13, 2013 - Reuters via Yahoo! News
• Istanbul protesters fear what a new day will bring
  ISTANBUL -- It’s dawn and tea pots bubble above low flames. Faces appear, poking out from tents, with reddened eyes. The first cigarettes of the day are lit, their tips glowing orange. Smart phones glow as people queue in an exhausted haze, waiting for a breakfast of coffee, bread and cheese.        
  June 13, 2013 - Los Angeles Times
• The haps of Bonnaroo's Comedy Tent
  Grand LOL Party Bonnaroo's comedy tent is air conditioned, but the limited, first-come-first-served seating means you have to queue up in zero shade (hours) before a particular set:… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]
  June 13, 2013 - Nashville Scene