prep

¹

[prep]

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

[prep]

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

abbreviation

1. preparation.

2. preparatory.

3. prepare.

4. preposition.

prep.

¹

abbreviation

1. preparation

2. preparatory

3. preposition

prep

²

/ prɛp /

noun

1. informal,  short for preparation preparatory school

verb

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of prep¹

First recorded in 1860–65; by shortening

Example Sentences

Still H&R Block stock has dropped 20% in the past 12 months, and it’s not hard to see a future where AI ends up disrupting—rather than empowering—the tax prep industry.

Read more on Barron's

While doing prep, she, Chu and other team members created a visual roadmap that listed all the intentions and emotions that would carry each scene.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"They are an incredible, emotional and passionate team and we will have to make sure we get our prep right for that."

Read more on BBC

Mr. Schlossberg’s résumé bears many of the hallmarks of elite status: tony New York prep school, Yale undergraduate degree, joint business and law degree from Harvard.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

America’s craving for ways to take the pressure off Thanksgiving prep has never been stronger—or so well served.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

What else does prep mean?

Preps are people who live a preppy lifestyle, associated with young, rich, usually white men and their stereotypical fashion.