# prompt

/ˈpɹɑmpt/ (US) · /pɹˈɒmpt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/prompt
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. to cause or initiate

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The news report prompted many people to call the police with information.
- The sudden decline in stock prices prompted the central bank to issue a statement aimed at reassuring nervous investors.

### 2. to help someone speak

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The director had to prompt the lead actor when he forgot his lines.
- During the live broadcast, the presenter relied on a producer to prompt her through the earpiece whenever the schedule shifted.

### 3. AI/Computing

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- You can prompt the AI to write a poem in the style of a famous author.
- The researcher spent hours learning how to prompt the large language model effectively to minimize biased responses in the data.

### 4. quick or on time

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

done quickly or arriving exactly at the right time.

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

- Thank you for your prompt reply to my email.
- The company is known for its prompt delivery service, ensuring that most orders arrive within twenty-four hours of purchase.

### 5. a reminder or cue

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- The teacher gave the students a small prompt to help them start their essays.
- The actor missed his physical prompt, causing a brief but noticeable silence before the next scene could begin.

### 6. computer interface

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- Type your password at the command prompt to log in.
- The system administrator configured the shell prompt to display the current directory and the active user account for better navigation.

## Examples

- The teacher gave us a writing prompt about our summer holidays.
- After you enter your password, a prompt appears on the screen asking for a verification code.
- The software engineer refined the AI prompt to ensure the generated code adhered to the company's internal security protocols and style guidelines.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.