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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.

Holding kids back in school for an athletic edge has existed for decades on the elite fringe of prep sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

If you’re in a season where prep feels like the barrier, let the factory do the knife work.

From Salon

The company says it has deployed Gemini for Education, with virtual test prep and research help, at more than 1,000 colleges.

From The Wall Street Journal

He was one of the leading scorers in the City Section at 28.5 points per game and left for prep school at Academy of Central Florida, where he’s averaging close to 20 points.

From Los Angeles Times

"We are a country that has rolled out more oral prep than any country in the world," explains Bekker.

From BBC