Prompt vs Earnest - What's the difference?

prompt | earnest | Related terms |

Prompt is a related term of earnest.

As an adjective prompt

is (archaic) ready, willing (to act).

As a noun prompt

is a reminder or cue.

As a verb prompt

is to lead someone toward what they should say or do.

As a proper noun earnest is

, an occasional spelling variant of ernest.

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

* * *

earnest

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) ernest, eornest, from (etyl) eornest, eornost, .

Noun

(-)

Gravity; serious purpose; earnestness.

* Sir Philip Sidney

Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest .

* Shakespeare

given in earnest what I begged in jest

Seriousness; reality; actuality (as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance); fixed determination; eagerness; intentness.

Derived terms

* earnestful * in earnest

Verb

(en verb)

To be serious with; use in earnest.

* 1602 , Pastor Fido:

Let's prove among ourselves our armes in jest, That when we come to earnest them with men, We may them better use.

Etymology 2

From (etyl) eornest, from (etyl) .

Adjective

(en-adj)

Serious in speech or action; eager; urgent; importunate; pressing; instant.

Ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavour; heartfelt; fervent; hearty; — used in a good sense; as, earnest prayers .

Intent; fixed closely; as, earnest attention .

Possessing or characterised by seriousness; strongly bent; intent.

an earnest disposition

Strenuous; diligent.

earnest efforts

Serious; weighty; of a serious, weighty, or important nature; not trifling or feigned; important.

Derived terms

* (l) * (l)

Etymology 3

Of uncertain origin; apparently related to (erres). Compare also (l).

Noun

(en noun)

A sum of money paid in advance as a deposit; hence, a pledge, a guarantee, an indication of something to come.

* 1990 , (Peter Hopkirk), The Great Game , Folio Society 2010, p. 365:

But if all this was viewed by Gladstone and the Cabinet as an earnest of St Petersburg's future good intentions in Central Asia, then disillusionment was soon to follow.

Anagrams

* * * *