Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cue given to a performer: The act of reminding an actor, speaker, or performer of their next words or actions, usually done quietly from offstage or the side.
   • Persuasion formulated as a suggestion: An act of encouraging, urging, or inciting someone to do something, often framed as a gentle or subtle suggestion.

Usage

• As a cue: Used in the context of theater, public speaking, or any performance where a person needs help remembering their lines or the sequence of events.
• As a suggestion or urge: Used to describe an influence or internal voice that encourages a particular action or thought.

Examples

• As a cue:
  • The actor forgot his line and needed some quiet prompting from the stage manager.
  • Her flawless speech was delivered without any prompting from her notes.
• As a suggestion or urge:
  • *He made the donation of his own free will, without any external prompting. *
  • She followed the prompting of her conscience and told the truth.

Advanced Usage

• "at the prompting of (someone/something)": because someone or something suggested or urged it.
  • At the prompting of his advisor, he applied for the scholarship.
• "the promptings of (something)": the urges or suggestions coming from a specific source, often an internal one.
  • He struggled to ignore the promptings of his heart.

Variants and Related Words

• Prompt (verb): To cause or bring about an action or feeling; to assist (an actor or speaker) by providing the next words.
  • The news prompted a swift response from the government.
  • Can you prompt me if I forget my lines?
• Prompter (noun): A person who prompts actors in a theater.
• Prompt (noun/adjective): A cue or stimulus; done without delay.
  • He needed a prompt to remember the answer.
  • Thank you for your prompt payment.

Synonyms

• Cue: A signal for action.
• Reminder: Something that causes someone to remember.
• Encouragement: The action of giving someone support or confidence.
• Urging: The act of earnestly trying to persuade someone to do something.
• Incitement: The action of provoking unlawful behavior or urging someone to behave in an unlawful way (stronger, often negative).

Antonyms

• Discouragement: The action of trying to persuade someone not to do something.
• Deterrent: A thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something.
• Prevention: The action of stopping something from happening.

Related Phrases

• Without prompting: Spontaneously; without being asked or reminded.
  • The child apologized without prompting.
• To need prompting: To require assistance or a reminder to continue.
  • The interviewee needed a lot of prompting to answer the questions.

Noun

1. a cue given to a performer (usually the beginning of the next line to be spoken)
   • the audience could hear his prompting
2. persuasion formulated as a suggestion