What does "prompt" mean?
A reminder or cue.; A word, phrase or line supplied by a prompter to an actor who has forgotten the script.
Prompt
/pɹɒmpt/ adj, noun, verb
adj, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A reminder or cue.; A word, phrase or line supplied by a prompter to an actor who has forgotten the script.
- Grammar: prompt is listed as adj, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: accordant, acquiescent, activate, activation energy input.
- Useful contrasts: havering, hesitant, hesitative.
- Usage evidence: Be prompt in dealing with the problem.
How to use "prompt"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "prompt" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "prompt" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "prompt" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "prompt" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "prompt" is acting as adj, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accordant" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "prompt", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A reminder or cue.; A word, phrase or line supplied by a prompter to an actor who has forgotten the script.
- 2 (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command wordnet
- 3 A reminder or cue.; A suggestion for inspiration given to an author.
- 4 a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken) wordnet
- 5 A reminder or cue.; A sequence of characters that is displayed to indicate that a computer is ready to receive input.
"I filled in my name where the prompt appeared on the computer screen, but my account wasn't recognized."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 A reminder or cue.; Textual input given to a large language model or image model in order to have it generate a desired output.
"I struggled to come up with a prompt that would give me the exact image I had in mind."
- 7 A time limit given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods. dated
"To cover any probable difference of price which might arise before the expiration of the prompt, which for this article [tea] is three months."
Verb
- 1 To lead (someone) toward what they should say or do. transitive
"I prompted him to get a new job."
- 2 serve as the inciting cause of wordnet
- 3 To say (something) in order to help or encourage someone to speak. transitive
""How did you solve the issue then?" Jason prompted while staring at Lana."
- 4 assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned wordnet
- 5 To show or tell (an actor/person) the words they should be saying, or actions they should be doing. transitive
"If he forgets his words I will prompt him."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 give an incentive for action wordnet
- 7 To initiate; to cause or lead to. transitive
"At first Renie's chain of thought had been prompted by the unsatisfactory nature of phone contact compared to an actual meeting,[…]"
- 8 To request (a user) to provide input or do something on a computer. transitive
"The script prompted him to enter his credit account number."
- 9 To provide textual input in the form of ordinary language to (an artificial intelligence or language model) to have it generate a desired output. transitive
"I want to prompt this new AI art generator to create an image of a panda riding a bike."
Adjective
- 1 Quick; acting without delay.
"He was very prompt at getting a new job."
- 2 On time; punctual.
"Be prompt for your appointment."
- 3 Ready; willing to act. archaic
"Tell him, I am prompt / To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele."
- 4 Front: closest or nearest, in futures trading.
"When physical crude oil transactions are priced, they are usually marked to the prompt month futures contract. The prompt month futures contract is the next futures contract to settle."
Adjective
- 1 performed with little or no delay wordnet
- 2 according to schedule or without delay; on time wordnet
- 3 ready and willing or quick to act wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Be prompt in dealing with the problem."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "prompt"?
Common synonyms include: accordant, acquiescent, activate, activation energy input, activation phrase, activator.
How do you use "prompt" in a sentence?
Be prompt in dealing with the problem.
How do you pronounce "prompt"?
Pronounced /pɹɒmpt/.
Etymology
The adjective is from Middle English prompte, from Middle French prompt and its etymon Latin prōmptus (“visible, apparent, evident”), past participle of prōmō (“to take or bring out or forth, produce, bring to light”), from prō (“forth, forward”) + emō (“to take, acquire, buy”). Doublet of pronto. The verb is from Middle English prompen, apparently from the adjective. The noun is from the verb.