The word segue (pronounced SEG-way) is an Italian word meaning “it follows.” Although this word has now passed into general use in English, it was originally a term in music, indicating a seamless transition between pieces of music.
In general language, the verb segue means “to move smoothly from one topic or activity to another.” The present participle is spelled segueing.
- Ask for participants’ reactions as a way to segue (or as a way of segueing) into the next subject.
Segue can also be used as a noun meaning “a smooth transition.”
- This discussion provides a nice segue into the last topic.
This term should not be confused with its homonym Segway, which is the brand name for a personal transportation device.
Copyright notice for Writing Tips Plus
© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Search by related themes
Want to learn more about a theme discussed on this page? Click on a link below to see all the pages on the Language Portal of Canada that relate to the theme you selected. The search results will be displayed in Language Navigator.
Related links
- Writing Tips Plus (home page)
- Writing tools
- Language Navigator (for fast access to language tips)
- TERMIUM Plus®