Clues Kluː Police Identity Killer Provide Piece Helps

• the burglar left no clues.
• they are searching for clues about the kidnapping.
• the police think the cctv recording may offer clues to the identity of the killer.
• this data may provide clues about the current economic situation.

clue

1. an object, a piece of evidence or some information that helps the police solve a crime
• The burglar left no clues.
• They are searching for clues about the kidnapping.
• The police think the CCTV recording may offer clues to the identity of the killer.

Extra Examples

• 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?
2. a fact or a piece of evidence that helps you discover the answer to a problem
• This data may provide clues about the current economic situation.
• The trailer gives a few important clues about the film's plot.
• 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.
3. 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
4. to know nothing about something or about how to do something
• I don't have a clue where she lives.
5. to be very stupid
• Don't ask him to do it—he doesn't have a clue!

Word Origin

• late 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.