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

After a further testing 30 minutes of extra time, Beck, camera in hand, made his way pitchside with his assistant to prepare for the penalty kicks despite neither having official access.

From BBC

"The US embassy recommends US citizens be prepared to immediately shelter in the event an air alert is announced."

From BBC

With a more detailed picture of what that wind field looks like, disaster authorities can better prepare for storms before they make landfall.

From Science Daily

In 1947, as India prepared for its first cricket tour of Australia, the nation was in the midst of unprecedented upheaval.

From BBC

Mr Hadden added: “If my case shows anything, when it comes to rural roads, you have to be so alert when you’re on them, you have to prepare for what’s around every corner.”

From BBC

Related Words

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