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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

preps plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• preps
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prep

First recorded in 1860–65; by shortening

Example Sentences

She settled down for a night of exam prep on a camping chair by the lobby staircase.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

As in so many family dwellings, Hilton says the kitchen is the heart of the home, with its premium appliances, sleek custom cabinetry and a massive dining and prep island.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 30, 2026

I came across recipes for a viral rotisserie chicken bag salad all over my social media feeds, and it’s completely changed how I meal prep for the week.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2026

“They’re such a truly deep thinking, emotional human being who has a voracious IQ,” Smith says, likening D’Arcy’s approach and prep to that of a historian’s.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 17, 2026

Mechanics and food prep and clothes repair and farming basics and things like that.

From "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness

Related Words

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