Etymology Map
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Prompt

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means done without delay; to cause

Where does the word "prompt" come from? It comes from Latin promptus, passing through French before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
promptus
Latin · ancient
"ready"
from 'promere', to bring forth
2
Stage 2 of 3
prompt
French · 1400s
"ready"
Latin 'promptus' meant brought forth, from 'promere'; the theatrical sense of feeding an actor lines dates from the 1670s
3
Stage 3 of 3
prompt
English · 1400s
"ready"
theatre 'prompters' date from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Prompt’s story begins in Latin: promptus meant “ready.” From 'promere', to bring forth. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in French as prompt. Latin 'promptus' meant brought forth, from 'promere'; the theatrical sense of feeding an actor lines dates from the 1670s. It reached English by 1400s as prompt. Theatre 'prompters' date from the 1600s. Today, prompt means done without delay; to cause.