Prompt — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun /ˈpräm(p)t/

Meaning & Definition of Prompt

Prompt (verb)

  1. to move to action, incite
  2. to serve as the inciting cause of
  3. to assist (someone who is acting or reciting) by suggesting or saying the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned, cue

Prompt (adjective)

  1. of or relating to prompting actors
  2. being ready and quick to act as occasion demands
  3. performed readily or immediately

Prompt (noun)

  1. something that prompts
  2. reminder
  3. something that moves someone to action; especially, something (such as a question or idea) used to spark a creative effort

Prompt (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)

    "a misguided pride prompted the family to refuse all offers of help"

    similar: beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, bring forth, give rise to
    related: conduce (to), contribute (to), decide, determine, begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start, advance, cultivate, develop, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, enact, render, turn out
    near: impede, limit, restrict, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard, can (slang), kill, snuff (out), still, abolish, demolish, destroy, extinguish, liquidate, quench

  2. to try to persuade (someone) through earnest appeals to follow a course of action

    "prompted the reluctant performer onto the stage with loud cheers and whistles"

    similar: egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, urge
    related: drive, propel, spur, stimulate, hurry, hustle, push, rush, adjure, beseech, implore, importune, blandish, cajole, coax, soft-soap, wheedle, high-pressure, nag, needle, pressure, foment, incite, instigate, provoke, stir (up)
    near: deter, discourage, dissuade, brake, check, constrain, curb, hold back, inhibit, restrain

Prompt (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. done, carried out, or given without delay

    "prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable"

    similar: immediate, punctual, speedy, timely
    related: apt, quick, ready, swift, willing, opportune, seasonable, early
    opposite: belated, late, tardy
    near: delinquent, latish, overdue, behind, behindhand, delayed, detained, dilatory, laggard, slow

  2. having or showing the ability to respond without delay or hesitation

    "our waiter was prompt and courteous despite the fact that the restaurant was understaffed"

    similar: alacritous, alert, expeditious, quick, ready, willing
    related: receptive, responsive, immediate, instant, instantaneous, summary, breakneck, breathless, brisk, fast, fleet, fleet-footed, hit-and-run, lightning, rapid, rapid-fire, rattling, snappy, speedy, swift, whirlwind, eager, keen, sharp, apt, clever, quick-witted, ready-witted, sharp-witted, smart
    near: unresponsive, crawling, creeping, dallying, dawdling, dilatory, dillydallying, dragging, laggard, lagging, lazy, lazyish, leisurely, logy, poking, poky, slothful, slow, slowish, sluggish, tardy, unhurried, dormant, idle, inactive, inert

Prompt (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in reminder, urging

    similar: reminder, urging, brief, direction, feedback, instruction, observation, answer, clue, solution, caution, cautioning, sign, signal, telltale, tip-off, warning, advice, advisement, assistance, counsel, guidance, recommendation, suggestion, hint, lead, pointer, tip

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Prompt

The most common words with a similar meaning to Prompt:

beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do, draw on, effect, effectuate, engender, generate, induce, invoke, make, occasion, produce, result (in), spawn, translate (into), work, yield, egg (on), encourage, exhort, goad, nudge, press, prod, urge, bring forth, give rise to, immediate, punctual, speedy, timely, alacritous, alert

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Prompt

Words with the opposite meaning of Prompt:

belated, late, tardy

Related Words for Prompt

conduce (to), contribute (to), decide, determine, begin, establish, father, found, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, institute, introduce, launch, pioneer, set, set up, start, advance, cultivate, develop, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurture, promote, enact, render, turn out

Near Antonyms of Prompt

impede, limit, restrict, clamp down (on), crack down (on), crush, dampen, put down, quash, quell, repress, smother, squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, control, curb, inhibit, rein (in), restrain, retard, can, kill, snuff (out), still, abolish

Word Forms of Prompt

Inflections: prompted, prompting, prompts

Derived words: prompter (noun), promptness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Prompt

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

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Prompt

Words & Phrases Containing Prompt

prompt side

Frequently Asked Questions about Prompt

What does "Prompt" mean?

"Prompt" means to move to action, incite. As an a verb, an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: to move to action, incite. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Prompt"?

Other words for "Prompt" include beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause and create. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Prompt" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Prompt"?

There are 159 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Prompt". Common alternatives include beget, breed, bring, bring about, bring on, catalyze, cause, create, do and draw on.

What is the opposite of "Prompt"?

Antonyms of "Prompt" include belated, late and tardy. Near antonyms include impede, limit, restrict and clamp down (on).

How do you use "Prompt" in a sentence?

Examples of "Prompt" in a sentence: "a misguided pride prompted the family to refuse all offers of help"; "prompted the reluctant performer onto the stage with loud cheers and whistles"; "prompt treatment of snakebites is always advisable".

Is "Prompt" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Prompt" can be used as a verb, an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Prompt" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Prompt" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Prompt"?

"Prompt" is pronounced /ˈpräm(p)t/.