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• prep
  prep

  noun

  preparatory school.
• PrEP
  PrEP

  noun

  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.
• prep.
  prep.

  abbreviation

  preparation.

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

Many teens now prioritize coursework, test prep and other pursuits to impress college-admissions officers, but a lack of work experience is worsening their employment prospects after graduating.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Next stop: New Jersey for a final prep game against Bolivia next Saturday.

From BBC • May 30, 2026

Underrecruited during his prep career at Palisades Charter High, Edwards was inconsistent during his first season with the Trojans.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Many of today’s teens aren’t looking for jobs because competing priorities like college prep, sports and other extracurriculars, including content creation, take up their time.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 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