What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Sign vs Cue - What's the difference?

sign | cue | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between sign and cue

is that sign is a visible indication while cue is an action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.

As verbs the difference between sign and cue

is that sign is to make a mark while cue is to give someone a cue signal.

As an acronym CUE is

clear and Unmistakable Error; legal standard for appeal of a decision by a Board of Veterans Appeals in the United States.

sign

English

(wikipedia sign)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) signe, from (etyl) ; root uncertain.

Noun

(en noun)
  • (sometimes, also used uncountably) A visible indication.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=Although the Celebrity was almost impervious to sarcasm, he was now beginning to exhibit visible signs of uneasiness, the consciousness dawning upon him that his eccentricity was not receiving the ovation it merited.}}
  • A clearly visible object, generally flat, bearing a short message in words or pictures.
  • * Macaulay
  • The shops were, therefore, distinguished by painted signs , which gave a gay and grotesque aspect to the streets.
  • A traffic sign.
  • A meaningful gesture.
  • Any of several specialized non-alphabetic symbols.
  • (astrology) An astrological sign.
  • (mathematics) Positive or negative polarity.
  • A specific gesture or motion used to communicate by those with speaking or hearing difficulties; now specifically, a linguistic unit in sign language equivalent to word in spoken languages.
  • *, II.12:
  • And why not, as well as our dumbe men dispute, argue and tell histories by signes ?
  • * 2007 , Marcel Danesi, The Quest for Meaning :
  • In American Sign Language (ASL), for instance, the sign for 'catch' is formed with one hand (in the role of agent) moving across the body (an action) to grasp the forefinger of the other hand (the patient).
  • (uncountable) Sign language in general.
  • An omen.
  • (medicine) A property of the body that indicates a disease and, unlike a symptom, is unlikely to be noticed by the patient.
  • A military emblem carried on a banner or standard.
  • (Milton)
    Derived terms
    * air sign * astrological sign * earth sign * fire sign * high sign * Indian sign * minus sign * neon sign * plus sign * road sign * sign language * sign of life * star sign * street sign * traffic sign * vital sign * water sign

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) (seigner), (seiner) et al., (etyl) signer et al., and their source, (etyl) ; see Etymology 1, above. Compare (sain).

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make a mark
  • #
  • #:The Queen signed her letter with the regal signet.
  • # To mark, to put or leave a mark on.
  • #*1726 , Elijah Fenton, The Odyssey of Homer :
  • #*:Meantime revolving in his thoughtful mind / The scar, with which his manly knee was sign'd […].
  • # To validate or ratify (a document) by writing one's signature on it.
  • #*c. 1597 , (William Shakespeare), The Merchant of Venice :
  • #*:Enquire the Iewes house out, giue him this deed, / And let him signe it […].
  • # More generally, to write one's signature on (something) as a means of identification etc.
  • I forgot to sign that letter to my aunt.
  • #
  • #:Just sign your name at the bottom there.
  • #:I received a letter from some woman who signs herself ‘Mrs Trellis’.
  • # To write one's signature.
  • Please sign on the dotted line.
  • # To finalise a contractual agreement to work for a given sports team, record label etc.
  • #*2011 , The Guardian , (headline), 18 Oct 2011:
  • #*:Agents say Wales back Gavin Henson has signed for Cardiff Blues.
  • # To engage (a sports player, musician etc.) in a contract.
  • It was a great month. I managed to sign three major players.
  • To make the sign of the cross
  • # To bless (someone or something) with the sign of the cross; to mark with the sign of the cross.
  • #* Book of Common Prayer
  • #*:We receive this child into the congregation of Christ's flock, and do sign him with the sign of the cross.
  • #*1971 , , Religion and the Decline of Magic , Folio Society 2012, p. 34:
  • #*:At the baptismal ceremony the child was […] signed with the cross in holy water.
  • # (reflexive) To cross oneself.
  • #*1855 , (Robert Browning), Men and Women :
  • #*:Shaking a fist at him with one fierce arm, / Signing himself with the other because of Christ.
  • To indicate
  • # To communicate using a gesture or signal.
  • #* Sir Walter Scott:
  • I signed to Browne to make his retreat.
  • # To communicate using gestures to (someone).
  • #:He signed me that I should follow him through the doorway.
  • # To use sign language.
  • # To furnish (a road etc.) with signs.
  • Derived terms
    * sign in * signing bonus * sign off * sign on * sign over * sign out * sign up * sign one's life away

    Anagrams

    *

    cue

    English

    (wikipedia cue)

    Etymology 1

    From the letter Q, abbreviation of (etyl) quando (“when”), marked on actor's play copy where they were to begin.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=November 3 , author=Chris Bevan , title=Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=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.}}
  • The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next actor to speak; any word or words which serve to remind an actor to speak or to do something; a catchword.
  • * Shakespeare
  • When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
  • A hint or intimation.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.
  • (obsolete) Humour; temper of mind.
  • (obsolete, UK, universities) A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for (etyl) quadrans farthing) in the buttery books.
  • * Hast thou suck'd Philosophy, ate cues , drank cees?
  • (quadrans)
    See also
    *
    Derived terms
    * on cue * sensory cue

    Verb

  • To give someone a cue signal.
  • Cue the cameraman, and action!
  • * {{quote-news
  • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=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).}}

    Etymology 2

    Variant of queue .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in various games.
  • (obsolete) The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
  • Derived terms
    * cue ball

    Verb

  • (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) To take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.
  • To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
  • Synonyms
    * cue up

    Anagrams

    * *