cue
UK: kjuː | US: kjuː
n. 1. A signal or prompt for action, especially in performance or conversation.
n. 2. A long, tapered stick used to strike the ball in billiards or pool.
vt. To give a signal or prompt to someone.
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The word "cue" has debated origins. One theory traces it to the Latin quando ("when"), which evolved into the French queue ("tail"), referring to a trailing line or sequence—later metaphorically extended to signals in theater (e.g., an actor's "tail" of dialogue). Another theory links it to the letter "Q" (abbreviated from Latin quaestio, "question"), used in scripts to mark an actor's entrance. The billiards sense may derive from the stick's resemblance to a tail or pointer.
The actor missed his cue and entered the stage late.
She cued the musician to start playing.
He chalked his cue before taking the shot.
The director gave a subtle cue to adjust the lighting.
Her laughter was the perfect cue for the joke’s punchline.