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Synonyms

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.

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.

prep. 3 American  

abbreviation

  1. preparation.

  2. preparatory.

  3. prepare.

  4. preposition.

prep. 1 British  

abbreviation

  1. preparation

  2. preparatory

  3. preposition

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
prep 2 British  
/ prɛp /

noun

  1. informal short for preparation preparatory school

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is the corporate equivalent of applying a full face of makeup without doing the necessary skin-care prep beforehand.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 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

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

There were also classic duffle coats and prep school-style blazers alongside intricately patterned dresses with delicate cut-out designs.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

“But it’s not lunchtime yet. This was just a break. It’s time to prep the wood,” I say, but Arwin’s yawning and the other kids are grabbing their stuff.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.