Prompted
'prɒmptɪd
Definitions
2 meaningsTo give rise to; to be the cause of; to incite; to encourage.
'prɒmptɪd
To cause or encourage an action or feeling.
The email prompted him to take action.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing a game, and the game tells you what to do next. To be prompted is like the game giving you a little nudge, or a clue, to help you move forward. For instance, the phone might prompt you to check for updates.
👶 For kids: To give someone a little nudge or hint to do something.
More Examples
What prompted you to say that?
The bad weather prompted us to cancel the picnic.
How It's Used
"Her unexpected question prompted a thoughtful response."
"The system prompted the user to enter their password."
"The teacher prompted the student to speak up."
To remind an actor or speaker of their lines; to supply cues.
'prɒmptɪd
To remind or assist someone in speaking or acting, often in a theatrical context.
The prompter quickly prompted the actor when he forgot his lines.
💡 Simply: Imagine you are in a play and forget your lines. Someone might whisper the line to you. That is a prompt. It's like someone giving you a hint or reminding you what you need to do.
👶 For kids: To help someone remember what to say or do.
More Examples
She had to prompt him to answer the question.
The coach prompted the player to switch positions.
How It's Used
"The actor forgot his lines, and the stage manager had to prompt him."
"The speaker prompted by a cue card."
Idioms & expressions
promptly
In a quick or timely manner.
"She responded promptly to the email."
From Old French *prompt*, meaning 'ready, eager', from Latin *promptus*, past participle of *promere* 'to bring forth, produce'.
Used from the 16th century onwards, originally with a sense of 'ready' or 'eager', later evolving to its current meanings.
Memory tip
Think of a prompt on a computer screen – it *causes* you to take action.
Word Origin
"ready, eager"