prompt

[prompt]

adjective

prompter, promptest 

1. done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay.

   I emailed them asking about my package and they gave a prompt reply.

2. ready in action; quick to act as occasion demands.

   They were trained to be prompt and competent for any emergency.

3. quick or alert.

   You're too prompt to take offense.

4. punctual.

   She's never prompt in arriving for work, yet she's always the first to leave at the end of the day.

verb (used with object)

1. to move or induce to action.

   What prompted you to say that?

   Synonyms: impel, instigate, spur, urge

2. to occasion or incite; inspire.

   What prompted his resignation?

3. to assist (a person speaking) by suggesting something to be said.

   It's obvious that this witness has been prompted into giving false testimony.

4. Theater.,  to supply (an actor, singer, etc.) from offstage with a missed cue or forgotten line.

   I focused on prompting our Cyrano, who had become strangely disoriented.

5. Computers.,  (of a computer system) to send a message or symbol to (a user) requesting information or instructions, usually by displaying the message or symbol on a screen.

   Once the home page has loaded, the computer will prompt you to log in to your account.

6. Computers, Digital Technology.,  to request particular output from (a machine learning algorithm) by means of instructions, questions, examples, context, or other input.

verb (used without object)

1. Theater.,  to supply forgotten lines, lyrics, or the like to an actor, singer, etc..

   I've got a one-line walk-on in the first scene, but for the rest of the play, I'll be prompting.

noun

1. the act of prompting.

2. something serving to suggest or remind.

   They send an email once a month, which is just the prompt I need to pay my bill on time.

3. Commerce.

   1. a limit of time given for payment for merchandise purchased, the limit being stated on a note of reminder prompt note.

   2. the contract setting the time limit.

4. Computers.,  a message or symbol from a computer system to a user, generally appearing on a display screen, requesting more information or indicating that the system is ready for user instructions.

   When the prompt appears, provide your access code.

5. Computers, Digital Technology.,  a sequence of inputs, often containing instructions, questions, examples, or context, used to request particular output from a machine learning algorithm.

prompt

/ prɒmpt /

adjective

1. performed or executed without delay

2. quick or ready to act or respond

adverb

1. informal,  punctually

verb

1. (tr) to urge (someone to do something)

2. to remind (an actor, singer, etc) of lines forgotten during a performance

3. (tr) to refresh the memory of

4. (tr) to give rise to by suggestion

   his affairs will prompt discussion

noun

1. commerce

   1. the time limit allowed for payment of the debt incurred by purchasing goods or services on credit

   2. the contract specifying this time limit

   3. Also called: prompt note. a memorandum sent to a purchaser to remind him of the time limit and the sum due

2. the act of prompting

3. anything that serves to remind

4. an aid to the operator of a computer in the form of a question or statement that appears on the screen showing that the equipment is ready to proceed and indicating the options available

Other Word Forms

• promptly adverb
• promptness noun
• overprompt adjective
• quasi-prompt adjective
• unprompt adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prompt¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Middle English prompte “ready, eager” (adjective), prompten (verb), both ultimately from Latin promptus “manifest, at hand, ready, quick, prepared,” adjective use of past participle of prōmere “to bring forth, deliver, set forth,” from prō- pro- ¹ + (e)mere “to buy, obtain, take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of prompt¹

C15: from Latin promptus evident, from prōmere to produce, from _pro- ¹ + emere to buy

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.

Example Sentences

The woman’s attorney was not present in court, prompting Meredith Gallen, a deputy public defender, to request that she step in and represent the woman.

From Los Angeles Times

It is the realisation of this error that prompted Ms Rayner, shortly after having received the final tax law advice, to refer the matter to me on Wednesday 3 September.

From BBC

This was the book described on the National Museum of the American Latino website, prompting the ignominious “Californio” mention in the White House news release.

From Los Angeles Times

Job cuts so far this year have already surpassed the total for 2024, as government cost-cutting, economic uncertainty and AI have prompted employers to reduce staff.

From Los Angeles Times

This prompted lawyers handling the class action to appeal the original settlement, and demand further compensation due to "misfeasance in public office".

From BBC

Related Words

• arouse 
• cause 
• convince 
• draw 
• elicit 
• help 
• indicate 
• induce 
• inspire 
• motivate 
• persuade 
• propel 
• provoke 
• spur 
• stimulate 
• suggest 
• urge