prepare

[pri-pair]

verb (used with object)

prepared, preparing 

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)

prepared, preparing 

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 a meal

   to prepare to go

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. (foll by an infinitive) to be willing and able (to do something)

   I'm not prepared to reveal these figures

Other Word Forms

• preparer noun
• reprepare verb (used with object)
• unpreparing 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

Sunday’s midterm elections threatened to derail that progress, and cast international investors in a familiar position: hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A notice to appoint administrators is a formal step that gives the business up to 10 days of legal protection from creditors while it explores rescue options, restructures, or prepares for insolvency proceedings.

Read more on BBC

Companies are also preparing for coming climate reporting rules in Europe.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Singapore was considered impregnable, but it wasn’t prepared for an attack from the mainland, and its 60,000-strong garrison surrendered on Feb. 8, 1942, the worst defeat in British history.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The American Financial Services Association offers tips online to prepare consumers for the car-buying process, including information on preapproval, budgeting and understanding interest rates and the loan process.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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