prompt
/prompt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Done or happening without delay; immediate: Describes an action or response that occurs quickly or on time.
- Ready and willing to act: Describes a person who is prepared and quick to take action.
Noun:
- (Computing) A symbol or message on a screen: A visual cue indicating a computer is ready to receive a command.
- (Theater) A cue or assistance: Words spoken to remind an actor of their next line.
Verb:
- To cause or incite someone to act: To motivate or encourage someone to do something.
- To assist a speaker or actor: To remind someone of words they have forgotten, often by whispering or giving a cue.
- To inspire or give rise to a thought or feeling: To be the cause of an idea or emotion.
Examples of Usage
Adjective:
- We appreciate your prompt payment. (We appreciate your immediate payment.)
- She is always prompt for meetings. (She is always on time for meetings.)
Noun:
- Type your command at the prompt and press Enter. (Type your command at the on-screen symbol and press Enter.)
- The actor needed a prompt from the stage manager. (The actor needed a whispered cue from the stage manager.)
Verb:
- The news story prompted a public debate. (The news story caused a public debate.)
- Can you prompt me if I forget my lines? (Can you remind me if I forget my lines?)
Advanced Usage
"Prompt action": Immediate action taken in response to something.
- The situation requires prompt action to prevent further damage. (The situation requires immediate action to prevent further damage.)
"Prompt someone into doing something": To cause someone to take a specific action.
- His words prompted me into reconsidering my decision. (His words caused me to reconsider my decision.)
"At the prompt": In computing, a point where the system is waiting for user input.
- Enter your password at the prompt. (Enter your password when the system shows it is ready.)
Variants and Related Words
Promptly (adverb): Without delay; immediately.
- He arrived promptly at 8 AM. (He arrived exactly at 8 AM.)
Promptness (noun): The quality of being prompt; punctuality.
- I was impressed by the promptness of their service. (I was impressed by the speed of their service.)
Prompter (noun): A person who prompts actors in a theater.
- The prompter sat in the wings with the script. (The person giving cues sat offstage with the script.)
Synonyms
- Adjective: Immediate, quick, punctual, timely.
- Verb: Induce, provoke, inspire, remind, cue.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Prompt for: (In computing) To ask for or expect a specific input.
- The program will prompt for your username. (The program will ask for your username.)
Related Idioms
- "To be prompt on the draw": To be very quick to react or respond. (This idiom uses "prompt" in the sense of speed.)
- In negotiations, you have to be prompt on the draw. (In negotiations, you have to react very quickly.)
Adjective
- performed with little or no delay
- an immediate reply to my letter
- a prompt reply
- was quick to respond
- a straightaway denial
- ready and willing or quick to act;
- she is always prompt to help her friends
- according to schedule or without delay; on time
- the train is prompt
Noun
- (computer science) a symbol that appears on the computer screen to indicate that the computer is ready to receive a command
- a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)
- the audience could hear his prompting
Verb
- assist (somebody acting or reciting) by suggesting the next words of something forgotten or imperfectly learned
- serve as the inciting cause of
- She prompted me to call my relatives
- give an incentive for action
- This moved me to sacrifice my career