prep

¹ American  

[prep] / prɛp /

noun

1. preparatory school.

2. a preliminary or warm-up activity or event; trial run.

   The race is a good prep for the Kentucky Derby.

3. preparation.

   dealer prep on the car included.

4. the act of preparing a patient for a medical or surgical procedure.

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adjective

1. preparatory.

   a prep school.

2. involving or used for preparation.

   the mortuary's prep room.

verb (used with object)

prepped, prepping

1. to prepare (a person) for a test, debate, etc.

2. to prepare (a patient) for a medical or surgical procedure, as by shaving and washing the skin with an antibacterial soap.

3. to prepare (a vehicle or craft) for sale, use, a test drive, or a race.

4. to prepare (something); make ready.

   You can prep the onions and peppers in advance.

verb (used without object)

prepped, prepping

1. to prepare; get ready.

   to prep for the game.

2. to attend a preparatory school.

PrEP ² American  

[prep] / prɛp /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

1. pre-exposure prophylaxis: the prevention of a disease such as HIV or hepatitis A through the use of pills or vaccine, administered typically to those whose risk of contracting the disease is substantial.

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prep. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. preparation.

2. preparatory.

3. prepare.

4. preposition.

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prep. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. preparation

2. preparatory

3. preposition

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prep ² British  

/ prɛp /

noun

1. informal short for preparation preparatory school

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verb

1. (tr) to prepare (a patient) for a medical operation or procedure

Usage

What else does prep mean? Preps are people who live a preppy lifestyle, associated with young, rich, usually white men and their stereotypical fashion.

Etymology

Origin of prep

First recorded in 1860–65; by shortening

Example Sentences

"Whether you're living with a partner, housemate, or family, your daily interactions -- from hugging, kissing and sharing food prep spaces -- may encourage the exchange of gut microbes," said Dr. Lee.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

While worries about the tax prep business’s long-term viability are real, there’s reason to believe investors may be overreacting.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

Earlier in the afternoon, the final two major prep races for the Kentucky Derby were held at Keeneland and Aqueduct, with each likely producing a pair of starters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

That especially goes for married couples filing jointly, even if one partner typically takes care of all the prep work.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Half the time he doesn't know whether he's using his CIA crash course in Spanish or his prep school Latin or his college French.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez

Related Words

• adorn
• arm
• deck out
• decorate
• dress
• endow
• furnish
• gear
• prepare
• provide
• qualify
• rig
• set up
• supply