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prompt

v. · adj. · n.
US //ˈpɹɑmpt// UK //pɹˈɒmpt// prompt
  1. 1 to cause or initiate (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make something happen or to cause someone to take action.

    to incite or give rise to an action or feeling. Transitive; often used in contexts where an event triggers a specific response.

    Example

    The news report prompted many people to call the police with information.

    Example

    The sudden decline in stock prices prompted the central bank to issue a statement aimed at reassuring nervous investors.
  2. 2 to help someone speak (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Theatre

    to remind someone of what they were going to say when they forget.

    to assist a speaker or actor by providing the next words of an utterance or script. Transitive; common in theatrical and public speaking contexts.

    Example

    The director had to prompt the lead actor when he forgot his lines.

    Example

    During the live broadcast, the presenter relied on a producer to prompt her through the earpiece whenever the schedule shifted.
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  1. 3 AI/Computing (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to give instructions to a computer or AI to get a specific result.

    to provide specific textual input to an artificial intelligence or computer system to elicit a desired output.

    Example

    You can prompt the AI to write a poem in the style of a famous author.

    Example

    The researcher spent hours learning how to prompt the large language model effectively to minimize biased responses in the data.
  2. 4 quick or on time (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    done quickly or arriving exactly at the right time.

    performed or occurring without delay; punctual. Often used in professional correspondence regarding payments or replies.

    Example

    Thank you for your prompt reply to my email.

    Example

    The company is known for its prompt delivery service, ensuring that most orders arrive within twenty-four hours of purchase.
  3. 5 a reminder or cue (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sign or some words that tell you it is time to do something.

    a signal or cue that serves as a reminder to begin an action or speak a line.

    Example

    The teacher gave the students a small prompt to help them start their essays.

    Example

    The actor missed his physical prompt, causing a brief but noticeable silence before the next scene could begin.
  4. 6 computer interface (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a symbol or message on a computer screen that shows it is ready for you to type.

    a symbol or message displayed on a screen to indicate that a computer system is ready for user input.

    Example

    Type your password at the command prompt to log in.

    Example

    The system administrator configured the shell prompt to display the current directory and the active user account for better navigation.
Origin

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.

Word family

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