prompt

UK: /ˈprɒmpt/ US: /prɑmpt/ ,(prompt)

Inflections of 'prompt' (adj):

prompter

adj comparative

promptest

adj superlative

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

prompt /prɑmpt/   adj., -er, -est, v. 
adj. 

1. performed at once or without delay:
   a prompt reply.
2. quick to act or respond: [be + ~]
   was prompt in answering our phone call.
   [~ + to + verb]
   They were prompt to deny the allegations.

v. 

3. to cause (someone) to do some action:
   [~ + object + to + verb] That insult prompted him to respond.
4. to cause (an act), as in response:
   [~ + object] That insult prompted a strong response.
5. to assist (a speaker or performer) by giving a cue:
   [~ + object] The teacher prompted the student with the next word of the poem.

n. [countable]

6. an act of prompting.
7. something serving to suggest or remind.
8. Computing a symbol or message on a computer screen requesting more information or indicating that a response or instruction is expected.

prompt•er, n. [countable]
prompt•ly, adv. 
prompt•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

prompt  (prompt), adj., -er, -est, v., n. 
adj. 

1. done, performed, delivered, etc., at once or without delay:
   a prompt reply.
2. ready in action;
   quick to act as occasion demands.
3. quick or alert:
   prompt to take offense.
4. punctual.

v.t. 

5. to move or induce to action:
   What prompted you to say that?
6. to occasion or incite;
   inspire:
   What prompted his resignation?
7. to assist (a person speaking) by suggesting something to be said.
8. Show Business [Theat.] to supply (an actor, singer, etc.) from offstage with a missed cue or forgotten line.

v.i. 

9. Show Business [Theat.] to supply forgotten lines, lyrics, or the like to an actor, singer, etc.

n. 

10. [Com.]
    • a limit of time given for payment for merchandise purchased, the limit being stated on a note of reminder (prompt′ note′). 
    • the contract setting the time limit.
11. the act of prompting.
12. something serving to suggest or remind.
13. Computing 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.
14. Idioms take a prompt, (in acting) to move or speak in response to a cue.

• Latin promptus ready, prompt, special use of past participle of prōmere
• Medieval Latin prōmptāre to incite, Latin: to distribute, frequentative of prōmere to bring out, equivalent. to prō- pro-¹ + (e)mere to take, buy; (adjective, adjectival) late Middle English
• (verb, verbal) Middle English 1300–50

prompt′ly, adv. 
prompt′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. urge, spur, instigate, impel.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prompt / prɒmpt/ adjective

1. performed or executed without delay
2. quick or ready to act or respond

adverb

1. punctually

verb

1. (transitive) to urge (someone to do something)
2. to remind (an actor, singer, etc) of lines forgotten during a performance
3. (transitive) to refresh the memory of
4. (transitive) to give rise to by suggestion: his affairs will prompt discussion

noun

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 or her of the time limit and the sum due

Etymology: 15th Century: from Latin promptus evident, from prōmere to produce, from pro-¹ + emere to buy

ˈpromptly adverb

ˈpromptness noun