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Cue vs Prompt - What's the difference?

cue | prompt |

As nouns the difference between cue and prompt

is that cue is an action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something or cue can be (sports|billiards|snooker|pool) a straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in various games while prompt is a reminder or cue.

As verbs the difference between cue and prompt

is that cue is to give someone a cue signal or cue can be (sports|billiards|snooker|pool) to take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it while prompt is to lead someone toward what they should say or do.

As an adjective prompt is

(archaic) ready, willing (to act).

cue

English

(wikipedia cue)

Etymology 1

From the letter Q, abbreviation of (etyl) quando (“when”), marked on actor's play copy where they were to begin.

Noun

(en noun)
  • An action or event that is a signal for somebody to do something.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=November 3 , author=Chris Bevan , title=Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=This time Cudicini was left helpless when Natcho stepped up to expertly curl the ball into the top corner.
    That was the cue for further pressure from the Russian side and it took further Cudicini saves to keep the score down.}}
  • The last words of a play actor's speech, serving as an intimation for the next actor to speak; any word or words which serve to remind an actor to speak or to do something; a catchword.
  • * Shakespeare
    • When my cue comes, call me, and I will answer.
  • A hint or intimation.
  • * Jonathan Swift
    • Give them [the servants] their cue to attend in two lines as he leaves the house.
  • (obsolete) Humour; temper of mind.
  • (obsolete, UK, universities) A small portion of bread or beer; the quantity bought with a farthing or half farthing and noted with a q (for (etyl) quadrans farthing) in the buttery books.
  • * Hast thou suck'd Philosophy, ate cues , drank cees?
    • (quadrans)
    See also
    *
    Derived terms
    * on cue * sensory cue

    Verb

  • To give someone a cue signal.
    • Cue the cameraman, and action!
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=May 27 , author=Nathan Rabin , title=TV: Review: THE SIMPSONS (CLASSIC): “New Kid On The Block” (season 4, episode 8; originally aired 11/12/1992) , work=The Onion AV Club citation , page= , passage=The episode also opens with an inspired bit of business for Homer, who blithely refuses to acquiesce to an elderly neighbor’s utterly reasonable request that he help make the process of selling her house easier by wearing pants when he gallivants about in front of windows, throw out his impressive collection of rotting Jack-O-Lanterns from previous Halloweens and take out his garbage, as it’s attracting wildlife (cue moose and Northern Exposure theme song).}}

    Etymology 2

    Variant of queue .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) A straight tapering rod used to impel the balls in various games.
  • (obsolete) The tail; the end of a thing; especially, a tail-like twist of hair worn at the back of the head; a queue.
    • Derived terms
    * cue ball

    Verb

  • (sports, billiards, snooker, pool) To take aim on the cue ball with the cue and hit it.
  • To form into a cue; to braid; to twist.
    • Synonyms
    * cue up

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    * *

    prompt

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (archaic) Ready, willing (to act).
  • * 1623 , William Shakespeare, Antony & Cleopatra , III.8:
    • Tell him, I am prompt To lay my Crowne at's feete, and there to kneele.
  • Quick, acting without delay.
    • He was very prompt at getting a new job.
  • On time, punctual.
    • Be prompt for your appointment.

    Derived terms

    * promptness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A reminder or cue.
  • (business, dated) A time limit given for payment of an account for produce purchased, this limit varying with different goods.
  • * John Stuart Mill
    • To cover any probable difference of price which might arise before the expiration of the prompt , which for this article [tea] is three months.
  • (computing) A symbol that appears on a monitor to indicate that the computer is ready to receive input.
    • I filled in my name where the prompt appeared on the computer screen but my account wasn't recognized.
  • (writing) A suggestion for inspiration given to an author.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To lead someone toward what they should say or do.
    • I prompted him to get a new job.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=September 2 , author=Phil McNulty , title=Bulgaria 0-3 England , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The only sour note on a virtually perfect night for England came from shameful 'monkey' chanting aimed at Ashley Cole and Ashley Young from a section of Bulgaria's fans which later prompted an official complaint from the Football Association to Uefa.}}
  • (theater, and, television) - to show or tell an actor/person the words they should be saying, or actions they should be doing.
    • If he forgets his words I will prompt him.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    External links

    * * *

    See also

    * promptly * prompter ----