prompt

1 of 4

verb

ˈpräm(p)t 

prompted; prompting; prompts

transitive verb

1

: to move to action : incite

2

: to serve as the inciting cause of

evidence prompting an investigation

3

: to assist (someone who is acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned : cue

4

computing

a

: to display a message that directs (a user) to do something (such as provide an input)

The app prompted me for a password.

b

: to provide instructions to an artificial intelligence system : to input a prompt

In a social studies class, students prompted chatbots to ''act like President Kennedy'' discussing his social policies and then critiqued the accuracy and tone of the texts the A.I. had produced.

—Natasha Singer

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 

ˈprämp-nəs

noun

prompt

4 of 4

noun

plural prompts ˈpräm(p)ts 

ˈprämps

1

[prompt entry 1] : something that prompts: such as

a(1)

: reminder

The actor was given a prompt by someone offstage.

(2)

: something that moves someone to action

especially : something (such as a question or idea) used to spark a creative effort

a book of journaling prompts

… seems to use pop culture imagery as a prompt for improvisations …

—Steven Litt

b computing

(1)

: a message or icon that appears on-screen to direct a user to do something (such as provide an input)

When you see the prompt, type in your password.

Touch screens with tip prompts are increasingly replacing old-fashioned tip jars, which were easier to slip past and ignore.

—Megan Cerullo

(2)

: an instruction or a set of criteria provided to an artificial intelligence system that establishes the content it will generate

And a lot of other AI work, whether in animation design or story writing and editing, still needs people who can make the necessary prompts and oversee the quality of machine-generated content.

—Don Lee and Samantha Masunaga

Just type in a prompt or idea, and the app will render an AI artistic interpretation based on your description.

—Stephanie Mlot

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

Synonyms of prompt

Verb

• cause
• create
• generate
• bring
• do
• produce
• work

Adjective (2)

• immediate
• swift
• timely
• quick

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

The turmoil affecting air travel prompted Delta Air Lines on Thursday to demand that Congress reopen the government immediately. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 Oct. 2025

The shoe brand owned by former Wall Street executive Brady Perrigo since 2020 had begun teasing a few pieces for key customers last year and the strong response prompted him to introduce a full menswear collection for fall. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Adjective

Designers can ask direct questions—about syntax, about a signal, about the flow—and get prompt—accurate answers, streamlining training and adoption. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Oct. 2025

Because Atlas reads web pages, malicious websites can manipulate it by hiding instructions in their code – a technique called prompt injection. —The Ai Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025

Noun

The photograph of the plumbing was compressed, along with Max’s prompt, into a vector that captured its most important features. —James Somers, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025

Get specific prompts to optimize emails, memos and presentations for tone, context and audience. —Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 31 Oct. 2025

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 3

Adjective (1)

1768, in the meaning defined above

Adjective (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prompt

• prompt side

Rhymes for prompt

• stomped
• swamped

Kids Definition

prompt

1 of 3 verb

ˈpräm(p)t 

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