What does queued mean?
Queued describes something that is waiting in an orderly line for service, processing, or presentation. The word is especially common when referring to people waiting for tickets, appointments, or access to a service, and it is also widely used in computing, broadcasting, and online services. A queued request has been received but cannot yet be completed, while a queued video or announcement is prepared to play after the current item. The expression can imply orderly delay rather than disorder, although it may also suggest inefficiency if the queue is too long. Its everyday meaning extends naturally from the physical lines people once formed to modern systems that organize work electronically. As a form of the verb queue, it means to join a line or add an item to a list of items awaiting service.
adjectiveWaiting in a line or queue, especially for a service, ticket, or opportunity. It can also mean placed in a queue for processing or awaiting action.
- Waiting in a line or queue.
- Placed in an electronic or administrative queue for processing.
- Awaiting playback or delivery, especially of audio, video, or announcements.
"Several passengers remained queued outside the station while the next train was delayed."
"The hospital has a long list of queued patients waiting for specialist appointments."
"The speaker played a queued video before introducing the next guest."
A queued message waits its turn in line—the digital descendant of people once forming a queue at a ticket window.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does queued come from?
The word derives from the verb queue, which borrowed French queue, meaning “tail” and originally referring to a line of people or vehicles. French queue in turn came from Latin cauda, “tail,” a word that also underlies English caudal, caudate, and caudex. The past form queued entered regular English use in the 19th century and later became common in descriptions of electronic and media systems.
Related word forms
How queued is actually used
The word is common in British and American English. In computing and media contexts, it usually means that an item is awaiting processing or presentation rather than indicating a literal line of people.
Easily confused with queued
A queue is a line of people or items awaiting service, whereas a cue is a signal or prompt to begin an action.