pronto
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of pronto
1840–50, < Spanish (adj. and adv.) quick, quickly < Latin promptus prompt (adj.)
Explanation
Pronto is an adverb meaning promptly or quickly. If someone asks you to do something pronto, they want it done now. Sometimes parents, bosses, and teachers need you to do something fast: one word that carries this meaning is pronto, which comes from Italian and originally applied to playing music quickly. If your dad says, "Take out the trash pronto!" he wants you to take it out now. If your boss asks you to finish a project pronto, she wants you to finish it right away. Pronto means about the same as ASAP, which stands for "as soon as possible."
Vocabulary lists containing pronto
Immediately
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Immediately
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Red Flags and Butterflies
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With yet another possible deal being negotiated to unclog Middle East oil supplies, analysts need to solve a mystery pronto.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Other states and other nations would do the same if this Medfly thing wasn’t stopped, and pronto.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2024
For now, go forth with your herbaceous knowledge and if you haven't yet, get your perfect, verdant herbs out of those cellophane supermarket bags pronto.
From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2023
This is dashboard dining, since you’ll want to eat it pronto while the coarsely ground pork is still drippy juicy, and the buttery pastry sheet that encases the filling still crackles.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 27, 2023
"Well, get yourself up here pronto," he advised.
From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
