prepare

[ pri-pair ]

verb (used with object)

, pre·pared, pre·par·ing.

1. to put in proper condition or readiness:

   to prepare a patient for surgery.

   Synonyms: order, arrange, provide

   Antonyms: disorganize

2. to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling, cooking, etc.
3. to manufacture, compound, or compose:

   to prepare a cough syrup.

   Synonyms: make

4. Music. to lead up to (a discord, an embellishment, etc.) by some preliminary tone or tones.

verb (used without object)

, pre·pared, pre·par·ing.

1. to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready:

   to prepare for war.

prepare

/ prɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. to make ready or suitable in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

   to prepare to go

   to prepare a meal

2. to put together using parts or ingredients; compose or construct
3. tr to equip or outfit, as for an expedition
4. tr music to soften the impact of (a dissonant note) by the use of preparation
5. be prepared
   foll by an infinitive to be willing and able (to do something)

   I'm not prepared to reveal these figures

Derived Forms

• preˈparer, noun

Other Words From

• pre·par·er noun
• re·pre·pare verb (used with object) reprepared repreparing
• un·pre·par·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepare¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin praeparāre “to make ready beforehand,” equivalent to prae- pre- + parāre “to set, get ready” (akin to parent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepare¹

C15: from Latin praeparāre, from prae before + parāre to make ready

Synonym Study

Prepare, contrive, devise imply planning for and making ready for something expected or thought possible. To prepare is to make ready beforehand for some approaching event, need, and the like: to prepare a room, a speech. Contrive and devise emphasize the exercise of ingenuity and inventiveness. The first word suggests a shrewdness that borders on trickery, but this is absent from devise : to contrive a means of escape; to devise a time-saving method.

Example Sentences

It may have somewhat prepared you for the way things turned out on Nov. 5.

From Salon

But how much more of this is France prepared to take?

From BBC

As much as he protests, however, it seems Essien is preparing for a shot at management.

From BBC

And she showed that the paraformaldehyde used to prepare samples for standard microscopy introduces its own artifacts: Applying it causes the pearls to disappear.

From Science Magazine

To help the sanctuary, he is urging people to consider rescuing a goat, but only if they do their research and are prepared to commit.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrange
• assemble
• brace
• develop
• draw up
• equip
• form
• formulate
• gird
• make
• plan
• produce
• provide
• qualify
• ready
• strengthen
• supply
• train