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.

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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.

Etymology

Origin of prep

First recorded in 1860–65; by shortening

Example Sentences

"Whether you're living with a partner, housemate, or family, your daily interactions -- from hugging, kissing and sharing food prep spaces -- may encourage the exchange of gut microbes," said Dr. Lee.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 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

Gray, who’s been watching since he was 12, doesn’t do any prep work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 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

The two other boys, classmates in a Manhattan prep school, exit the lobby together.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins

Related Words

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