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

Now, in the aftermath of the election, abortion funds also have to prepare for a landscape where abortion access is severely limited.

From Salon

With a Nations League promotion secured the year before and a major tournament to prepare for, the decision was taken to take on friendlies, generally, against top-ranked nations.

From BBC

There was always a match to prepare for, but Brown was studious when it came to the mid-to-long term prospects of the national team.

From BBC

Syphard worries that a perception that home hardening is meaningless could result in residents not taking key steps to prepare their homes.

From Los Angeles Times

The state also told UC to prepare for a deferral of $31 million in funding to offset the financial hit of replacing nonresident students with California undergraduates at UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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