I. prompt 1 /prɒmpt $ prɑːmpt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: promptare , from Latin promptus ; ⇨ ↑ prompt 2 ]
1 . [transitive] to make someone decide to do something
prompt somebody to do something
What prompted you to buy that suit?
2 . [transitive] to make people say or do something as a reaction:
The decision prompted an outcry among prominent US campaigners.
3 . [transitive] to help a speaker who pauses, by suggesting how to continue:
‘I can’t decide,’ said Beatrice. ‘Decide what?’ prompted Marlon.
4 . [transitive] to ask someone to do something on a computer:
A message will appear which will prompt you for certain information.
5 . [intransitive and transitive] to remind an actor of the next words in a speech
II. prompt 2 W3 BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: promptus , from the past participle of promere 'to bring out' ]
1 . done quickly, immediately, or at the right time:
Prompt action must be taken.
Prompt payment is requested.
a prompt response
2 . [not before noun] someone who is prompt arrives or does something at the right time and is not late:
Lunch is at two. Try to be prompt.
—promptness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ quick taking only a short time to do something:
I took a quick look at the map.
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Do I have time for a quick shower before we go out?
▪ short lasting only a short time:
You can do a short course in diving.
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The meeting was shorter than I’d expected.
▪ brief especially written lasting only a short time. Brief is more formal than short , and is used especially in written English:
The President made a brief visit to Buenos Aires.
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a brief introduction to Piaget’s ideas
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a brief pause in the rain
▪ rapid especially written happening in a short period of time – used about changes, increases, improvements etc:
a rapid increase in crime
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the rapid rate of industrial development
▪ speedy happening or done as quickly as possible, especially so that you get the result that you want:
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
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The restoration work has been making speedy progress.
▪ prompt done very soon after something else:
Thank you for your prompt reply.
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the prompt action of the firefighters
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Discounts will be offered for prompt payment.
▪ hasty deciding or doing something very quickly, especially when this has bad results:
It was a hasty decision, which he later regretted.
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They had to make a hasty departure.
▪ cursory formal looking at something very quickly without much attention to detail:
Even a cursory glance at these figures shows that there is a problem.
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The police conducted a cursory search of the property.
III. prompt 3 BrE AmE adverb British English informal
at the time mentioned and no later SYN sharp American English :
The bus will leave at 8 o'clock prompt.
IV. prompt 4 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a word or words said to an actor in a play, to help them remember what to say
2 . a sign on a computer screen which shows that the computer has finished one operation and is ready to begin the next