Meaning & use
pronto
Last updated
UK/ˈprɒntəʊ/
US/ˈprɑːntoʊ/
Meaning
adverbnot comparableinformal
Right away, without delay; used casually to demand or describe quick action.
Grammar: Usually comes at the end of a sentence: get over here pronto.
Patterns
- do something pronto
- get here pronto
I need those reports on my desk pronto.
Get down here pronto, or we'll miss the bus.
If you spill anything, clean it up pronto.
Common combinations
- get here pronto
- Get here pronto, the movie's about to start.
- do it pronto
- Do it pronto, before the boss returns.
- I need it pronto
- I need it pronto, so please hurry.
- leave pronto
- We should leave pronto if we want a good seat.
Synonyms and how they differ
- immediately
- Immediately is neutral and suits any situation, whereas pronto is breezy and demanding.
- quickly
- Quickly describes speed, while pronto implies starting at once as well as hurrying.
- right away
- Right away is the everyday, neutral equivalent of pronto.
- ASAP
- ASAP is a written abbreviation common in emails, while pronto is spoken and playful.
Opposites
Word family
- prontissimo adverb
- a humorous, extra-fast version borrowed from Italian
- pronto interjection
- also used in Italian and Spanish to answer a phone, but this is not an English use
Commonly confused: pronto or prompt?
pronto vs prompt
Prompt means done without delay or to cause action; pronto is a casual adverb and cannot be used as an adjective.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'pronto' naturally?
Choose one answer.
Pronto is an informal adverb best for casual, urgent talk. It is too casual for a formal request, it is not an adjective, and it has no comparative.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “pronto”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.