clew

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "clew" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or a verb and refers to a ball of yarn or thread, a hint or clue, or a rope attached to the corner of a sail. Example 1 (Noun): The knitter carefully unraveled the clew of yarn and began to cast on stitches for her new project. Example 2 (Verb): The detective tried to clew together all of the evidence to solve the case. Example 3 (Noun): The sailor pulled on the clew of the sail, adjusting its position to catch the wind more effectively.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Nearly all the students at the Academy were Democrats Frank had been known to tip his hat to Comptroller Craig... President Emeritus addressed the the boys, when he placed a clew in the middle of the street, said "Fair play, boys, fair play".

The New Yorker

ON top of the pancake, something was writhing: a clew of bonito flakes in silent riot, the diaphanous curls lurching and shuddering.

The New York Times - Food

No one's been harassed by a goose, head-butted by a dolphin, nor has anyone in the series come home drunk to find that a clew of worms have somehow broken into their living room and assembled to spell "sod off" on the carpet.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In the tradition of all great shaggy-dog stories, Hanif throws into the mix a few more potential sources of blame, including a clew of tapeworms and a mango-eating bird.

The Guardian - Books

All 73 poems are meditations upon something beginning with that letter, from Courtesans to "The Clew", Cyclists to (gulp) Critics – "Notepads in laps/ and pre-conceptions ready…" There is, noticeably, no "Christopher" or any four letter "C" ending in –unt, which Craig Raine could doubtless write 73 poems about in the blink of an eye.

Independent

My husband and I got aboard the trail on rented road bikes from an outdoor store in Westport on the shores of Clew Bay in County Mayo.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Clow, global director of media arts at New York-based ad agency TBWA/Worldwide, told the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity: "It's now a big challenge, the marketing and communications for Apple.

The Guardian

Mr. Clow also praised Mr. Jobs as a genius and an innovator.

The New York Times

"Steve said, 'I want one commercial that'll stop the world in its tracks,' " Mr. Hayden said, to which Mr. Clow, deadpan, interjected, "He was never very demanding".

The New York Times

"That was the beginning of Steve Jobs's putting a stake in the ground," Mr. Clow said, referring to the late leader of Apple, and how "he saw technology in the hands of everybody".

The New York Times

In the memo, Mr. Clow described Mr. Jobs as "the most amazing person I have ever known" and "the best client we ever had" – and "my friend".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and their familiarity with archaic terms. "Clew" is less common than "clue" and may require clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "clew" interchangeably with "clue" in modern contexts where "clue" is the more widely understood term. "Clew" as a synonym for "clue" can sound archaic or affected.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clew" is as a noun, referring to a ball of yarn or the corner of a sail. It can also function as a verb, meaning to roll into a ball or to raise the lower corners of a sail. Ludwig AI confirms the word's usability and provides examples demonstrating its function in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clew" is a word with multiple meanings, primarily functioning as a noun or verb. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable in written English. It can refer to a ball of yarn, the corner of a sail, or, archaically, a clue. Its usage is relatively uncommon in modern English, mainly appearing in news and media contexts. When writing, be mindful of the potential for confusion with the more common word "clue", and consider the intended audience's familiarity with archaic or nautical terms. While authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian use "clew", its specific meaning should be clear from the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clue

A direct synonym, focusing on guidance in solving a problem.

hint

Highlights the figurative meaning of "clew" as a clue or suggestion.

ball of yarn

Focuses on the literal meaning of "clew" as a ball of thread.

indication

Focuses on the meaning of "clew" as something that points toward a solution.

piece of evidence

Alternative to clue which can be semantically related.

guide

An alternative to hint, focusing on direct guidance to a specific place or goal.

strand of thread

Similar to a ball of yarn, but emphasizes a single component.

corner of a sail

Relates specifically to the nautical definition of "clew".

lower corner of sail

More descriptive version of corner of sail

solution's beginning

Similar to clue, it indicates how a solution is in its early stages.

FAQs

What does "clew" mean?

The word "clew" can refer to a ball of yarn or thread, the lower corner of a sail, or, archaically, a clue or hint. The context usually dictates the intended meaning.

How can I use "clew" in a sentence?

You might say, "The detective followed the "hint" like a "ball of yarn" in a labyrinth" or "The sailor adjusted the "corner of a sail" to catch the wind better."

What's the difference between "clew" and "clue"?

"Clew" and "clue" were once interchangeable, but in modern usage, "clue" is far more common for referring to a hint or piece of evidence. "Clew" is now mostly used for its nautical meaning or to refer to a ball of yarn.

What are some synonyms for "clew" when it means "hint" or "clue"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "hint", "indication", or "piece of evidence" instead of "clew".