/ prɒmpt; NAmE prɑːmpt/ adjective , verb , noun , adverb
■ adjective
1.
done without delay
SYN immediate :
Prompt action was required as the fire spread.
Prompt payment of the invoice would be appreciated.
2.
[ not before noun ] ( of a person ) acting without delay; arriving at the right time
SYN punctual :
Please be prompt when attending these meetings.
► prompt·ness noun [ U ]
■ verb
1.
to make sb decide to do sth; to cause sth to happen
SYN provoke :
[ vn ]
The discovery of the bomb prompted an increase in security.
His speech prompted an angry outburst from a man in the crowd.
[ vn to inf ]
The thought of her daughter's wedding day prompted her to lose some weight.
2.
to encourage sb to speak by asking them questions or suggesting words that they could say :
[ vn ]
She was too nervous to speak and had to be prompted.
( computing )
The program will prompt you to enter data where required.
[ v speech ]
'And then what happened?' he prompted.
[also vn speech ]
3.
[ vn , v ] to follow the text of a play and remind the actors what the words are if they forget their lines
■ noun
1.
a word or words said to an actor, to remind them what to say next when they have forgotten
2.
( computing ) a sign on a computer screen that shows that the computer has finished doing sth and is ready for more instructions
■ adverb
exactly at the time mentioned :
The meeting will begin at ten o'clock prompt.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as a verb): based on Old French prompt or Latin promptus brought to light, also prepared, ready, past participle of promere to produce, from pro- out, forth + emere take.