Prompt Meaning

UK /prɒmpt/
US /prɑːmpt/
Word Definition
prompt meaning

Prompt Definition & Usage

noun

A cue or instruction given to prompt an action or response.

Examples

  • "She gave him a prompt to start speaking during the presentation."
  • "The teacher's prompt helped the student remember the next line in the play."
  • "The text message was a prompt for him to get back to work."
  • "After receiving the prompt, he immediately began writing the essay."
  • "The prompt for the meeting was sent out via email earlier today."
verb

To cause or encourage someone to take an action or make a response.

Examples

  • "His questions prompted her to think more deeply about the topic."
  • "The loud noise prompted everyone to look around in surprise."
  • "A sudden power outage prompted the evacuation of the building."
  • "The professor's encouraging words prompted the students to continue with their research."
  • "The message prompted him to reconsider his decision."
adjective

Done without delay or hesitation; immediate or quick.

Examples

  • "The prompt response from the customer service team was appreciated."
  • "She gave a prompt answer to the interviewer's question."
  • "He made a prompt decision to buy the ticket before it sold out."
  • "A prompt reply is expected in this type of professional setting."
  • "They arrived promptly at the scheduled meeting time."

Cultural Context

The word 'prompt' has roots in early Latin and was adopted into Middle English. It has evolved to be used in various contexts including computing, education, and general communication. It is often associated with immediacy or urging action, either by individuals or by systems.

The Prompt That Changed Everything

Story

The Prompt That Changed Everything

Maya sat at her desk, staring at the blank screen of her computer. It had been an hour since she received the email from her boss, asking for a proposal on the new marketing campaign. But every time she tried to start, her mind went blank. She needed a prompt—something to get the creative juices flowing. It wasn’t that she didn’t have ideas, but she couldn't quite get the ball rolling. As if on cue, her phone buzzed. It was a message from her colleague, Dave. He had sent her a link to an article about a recent marketing trend. 'This might help you get started,' he wrote. The prompt was exactly what she needed. A spark. With renewed energy, Maya dove into her work. She quickly outlined the campaign's structure and jotted down ideas for each section. The deadline was approaching fast, and the project had to be ready by the next morning. Suddenly, her computer screen flashed with a notification. It was another prompt from the system, reminding her to save her work. She smiled at the irony. Without both prompts—the human one and the digital one—she would have been stuck. As the night wore on, Maya worked tirelessly, sending off the completed proposal just minutes before the deadline. Her boss was impressed by the creativity and the speed with which she had completed the task. 'Your promptness and ingenuity are exactly what we need,' he wrote in his reply. Maya couldn’t help but laugh. It had all started with a simple prompt, but it had changed everything. Sometimes, all it takes is a nudge to unlock your potential.

The Prompt That Changed Everything