prompt
cause or trigger an action
To make something happen, or to make someone decide to do something.
[something] prompts [someone] to [do something]
- The rising costs prompted the company to review its budget.
- His remark prompted an angry reply from the audience.
- The accident prompted calls for stricter safety rules.
- Her curiosity prompted her to ask more questions.
- The data breach prompted the bank to update its security systems.
- The bad weather prompted them to stay home.
- The teacher’s story prompted many questions.
- A strange noise prompted him to look outside.
- The news prompted people to leave the city.
- Her illness prompted him to change his lifestyle.
done quickly, without delay
Happening or done fast, without waiting.
a prompt [response / reply / decision / action]
- Thank you for your prompt reply to my email.
- The patient received prompt medical attention.
- Prompt action by firefighters prevented a major disaster.
- We appreciate your prompt payment of the invoice.
- A prompt decision is needed to save the project.
- I got a very prompt answer from customer service.
- The police gave a prompt response to the call.
- Prompt action can stop the problem from growing.
- The company expects prompt payment from its clients.
- Her prompt reply made it easy to plan the meeting.
cue someone with missing words
To tell someone a word, line, or idea to help them continue speaking or remember.
to prompt [someone] with [a word / a line]
- The teacher gently prompted the child when he forgot the next word.
- When the actor froze on stage, the director prompted her from the front row.
- She paused, searching for the right phrase, and her friend prompted her quietly.
- The app prompts users with example sentences when they get stuck.
- He prompted the speaker with the statistics she had left out.
- The teacher prompted the boy when he forgot his line.
- My friend prompted me with the right word.
- The guide prompted the actors during rehearsal.
- Please prompt me if I forget what to say.
- The app prompted me with the next sentence.
spoken or written cue/reminder
A word, phrase, or sign that helps a person remember what to say or do next.
a prompt for [a speech / writing / discussion]
- The teacher wrote several prompts on the board to help students start their essays.
- Actors can request a prompt if they forget their lines during rehearsal.
- Each card contains a discussion prompt for the group to talk about.
- Use the questions as prompts for your journal writing.
- The presenter kept a small prompt on the podium with her key points.
- The teacher gave us a writing prompt.
- The actor waited for a prompt from the side of the stage.
- We used picture prompts to practice speaking.
- Each question is a prompt for a short text.
- He wrote some prompts to help him remember his speech.
ask user for input (computing)
When a computer shows a message or sign that tells you to type something or make a choice.
[system] prompts [user] to [enter / select something]
- The program will prompt you to save your work before closing.
- When you log in, the system prompts for your username and password.
- A window popped up prompting her to install the latest update.
- The app prompts users to turn on location services.
- After you click "Buy", the website prompts you to enter your payment details.
- The computer prompts you to enter your name.
- A small box will prompt you for your password.
- The app prompts the user to choose a language.
- After that, the system prompts for more information.
- The website prompts me to accept the cookies.
screen symbol/message for input
A sign or short message on a computer screen that tells you to type something or make a choice.
a prompt asking you to [enter / confirm something]
- Type your command at the prompt and press Enter.
- The login prompt appeared again after he entered the wrong password.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
- A prompt will appear asking if you want to save the changes.
- The system displays a password prompt before giving access.
- You will see a prompt on the screen.
- At the prompt, type your email and press Enter.
- Follow each prompt to finish the setup.
- The prompt asks you for your password.
- There is a small prompt in the corner of the window.
acting or arriving on time
Doing things on time and not late.
[someone] is prompt in [doing something]
- She is always prompt in answering emails.
- The company is known for its prompt delivery service.
- Please be prompt to arrive at the meeting by nine o’clock.
- Our staff are prompt and professional at all times.
- He was prompt in paying back the loan.
- He is very prompt and never late.
- The hotel staff were prompt and helpful.
- Please be prompt for your appointment.
- She is prompt in doing her homework.
- The shop gives prompt service to its customers.
- Base: prompt
- Comparative: prompter
- Superlative: promptest
- Base: prompt
- Plural: prompts
- Base: prompt
- 3rd Person Singular: prompts
- Present Participle: prompting
- Past: prompted
be prompt in doing something
1do a task on time
To do something when you should, without being late.
- Please be prompt in sending us your feedback.
- She is always prompt in replying to customer emails.
command prompt
1text-based place to type commands
In some computer systems, the place where you type commands as text.
- Open the command prompt and type the following line.
- Advanced users can change system settings from the command prompt.
discussion prompt
1question to start discussion
A question or short statement that helps people start talking about a topic.
- Each card contains a discussion prompt for small groups.
- The teacher used photos as discussion prompts in the language class.
on-screen prompt
1message shown on a computer screen
A short text on a computer or phone screen that tells you what to do next.
- Just follow the on-screen prompts to install the software.
- An on-screen prompt asked her to confirm the deletion.
prompt action
1fast and timely action
Action that is taken quickly, without waiting.
- Prompt action by the police prevented a serious accident.
- The manager’s prompt action solved the problem before it grew.
prompt payment
1on-time or early payment
Paying money, such as a bill, when it is due or earlier.
- The company offers a discount for prompt payment.
- Prompt payment of all invoices is appreciated.
prompt response
1quick reply to a message
A reply that comes very soon after a message or request.
- We look forward to your prompt response.
- Customer support gave a prompt response to my complaint.
prompt someone to do something
1cause a person to act
To make a person decide to do a particular thing.
- The news report prompted many viewers to donate money.
- His question prompted me to think more carefully about my plans.
prompted by
1caused or influenced by something
Caused or influenced by something; done because of something.
- Prompted by concern for her health, she finally quit smoking.
- The changes were prompted by feedback from customers.
writing prompt
1idea or question to start writing
A short sentence, idea, or question that helps you begin a piece of writing.
- The teacher gave the class a writing prompt about their favorite place.
- Use this writing prompt if you don’t know how to start your story.
writing prompt
1idea to start writing
a topic or question that helps you start writing
- The teacher gave the class a writing prompt about a memorable journey.
- Use this writing prompt to begin your journal entry.
- The app generates daily writing prompts for fiction writers.