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Glite Dictionary
promptness

promptness

4 3.5
Doing something quickly and at the expected time
  • noun
  • /ˈprɒmptnəs/
translation icon : prontitud
  • The manager praised her team for their promptness in completing the project ahead of schedule.

communication, like promptness was number one. Wow. And I think you can bet an accountant pretty good just by how fast they're getting back to you.

Examples

  • The man inspects the suit again and compliments the clerk on his promptness.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Initiative and promptness are manifest in timely posts that show creativity, substance, and concern for the group.

    Academic text (2006)

  • In all important things, promptness is required, and being early is better.

    Blog text (6)

  • The students noted that promptness was a key factor in developing an effective online community.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Regular attendance and promptness are considered part of the effort.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Promptness is a virtue today.

    A Nanny for Christmas (2010)

  • I had forgotten the entire issue, but from her promptness, it was obviously uppermost in her thoughts.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • I appreciate your promptness.

    Shock (1946)

  • One of the pleasing aspects of being Illyar was that when he asked for something, it was done with startling promptness.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • The Raleigh Sentinel proclaimed, "Much depends for the security and peace of society upon the intelligence, the virtue, and promptness of the magistracy."

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

punctuality
vspromptness
16 3.5

Arriving or finishing things at the agreed time

includes quick action as well as consistent on time behaviour
immediacy
vspromptness
16 5.8

A feeling that you are experiencing something directly right now

also involves being timely, matching expected schedules not just speed
dispatch
vspromptness
  • Formal
5 6.4

Quick and efficient work to finish a task

stresses both quick completion and doing things at the right time
timeliness
vspromptness
5 4.8

Happening at the right time

also requires being quick in action, not only happening at the right time
promptitude
vspromptness
1 9.5

Acting quickly without delay when action is needed

includes quick action and being on the expected schedule
expeditiousness
vspromptness
8.6

Quick and efficient action that gets work done

adds the aspect of meeting expected time as well as speed
instancy
vspromptness
9.9

Quick action that happens immediately

also covers acting on schedule, not only instant occurrence
instantaneousness
vspromptness
8.9

Happening immediately without any delay

adds the idea of being on time as well as instant action
immediateness
vspromptness
8.1

Happening right away with nothing in between

focuses additionally on doing things at the agreed time

Antonyms

lateness
10 1.6

Arriving after the time people expect you to be there

slowness
5 1.1

A state when something moves or happens less quickly than usual

How Prompt

punctuality
16 3.5
promptness
4 3.5
tardiness
15 4.1
slowness
5 1.1

Surface Forms

promptness singular
promptnesses plural

Morphology

promptness = prompt (transparent) = prompt + ness

A straightforward nominalization of the adjective 'prompt' using the productive suffix '-ness', so the meaning is easily inferred.

Etymology

The word promptness comes from prompt, which in turn comes from the Latin promptus meaning 'ready' or 'at hand'. So promptness is simply being quick and ready to act at the expected time.