prompt

1 of 4

verb

prompted; prompting; prompts

transitive verb

1
: to move to action : incite
2
: to assist (one acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : cue
3
: to serve as the inciting cause of
evidence prompting an investigation
prompter noun

prompt

2 of 4

adjective (1)

: of or relating to prompting actors

prompt

3 of 4

adjective (2)

1
: being ready and quick to act as occasion demands
2
: performed readily or immediately
prompt assistance
promptness
ˈpräm(p)t-nəs How to pronounce prompt (audio)
ˈprämp-nəs
noun

prompt

4 of 4

noun

plural prompts ˈpräm(p)ts How to pronounce prompt (audio)
ˈprämps
1
[prompt entry 1] : something that prompts : reminder
2
[prompt entry 3] : a limit of time given for payment of an account for goods purchased
also : the contract by which this time is fixed
Choose the Right Synonym for prompt

quick, prompt, ready, apt mean able to respond without delay or hesitation or indicative of such ability.

quick stresses instancy of response and is likely to connote native rather than acquired power.

quick reflexes
a keen quick mind

prompt is more likely to connote training and discipline that fits one for instant response.

prompt emergency medical care

ready suggests facility or fluency in response.

backed by a pair of ready assistants

apt stresses the possession of qualities (such as intelligence, a particular talent, or a strong bent) that makes quick effective response possible.

an apt student
her answer was apt and to the point

Examples of prompt in a Sentence

Verb Curiosity prompted her to ask a few questions. Pride prompted his angry response. The evidence prompted a criminal investigation. “Did you hear me?” he prompted when his friend did not respond to his first question. The actor had to be prompted by someone who was standing offstage. The computer prompted me to type in a number. Adjective (2) prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable our waiter was prompt and courteous despite the fact that the restaurant was understaffed Noun The actor was given a prompt by someone offstage.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
An image of Payne, capturing him during his days with One Direction, was projected onto a huge screen, prompting huge cheers from the audience. Caroline Frost, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2024 When Hurricane Helene devastated the southeast just over three weeks ago, the natural disaster prompted a stunning grassroots mobilization from the private sector, catapulting it to the front-line of disaster relief efforts. Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 20 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Through careful prompt engineering, students work in teams to incorporate cultural, emotional, and contextual nuances, making AI output more effective. Beata M. Jones, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Furthermore, significant numbers of people are required for maintenance, prompt engineering and validation of GenAI outputs. Kristi Holmes, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2024
Noun
The startup, valued at $160 million and with about 2 million users, also hopes that its new models will be able to better adhere to prompts that are fed into it, Jain said. Rashi Shrivastava, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Ultimately, none of the celebrities answered the prompt correctly. Skyler Caruso, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prompt 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prompt.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Medieval Latin promptare, from Latin promptus prompt

Adjective (2)

Middle English, from Latin promptus ready, prompt, from past participle of promere to bring forth, from pro- forth + emere to take — more at redeem

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (1)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of prompt was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near prompt

Cite this Entry

“Prompt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prompt. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

prompt

1 of 3 verb
1
: to lead to do something
curiosity prompted her to ask the question
2
: to remind of something forgotten or poorly learned
prompt an actor
3
: to be the cause of : inspire
pride prompted the act

prompt

2 of 3 adjective
1
a
: being ready and quick to act
prompt to answer
b
: being on time : punctual
prompt in arriving
2
: done at once : given without delay
prompt assistance
promptly adverb
promptness noun

prompt

3 of 3 noun
: something that prompts : reminder

More from Merriam-Webster on prompt

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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