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Synonyms

preparatory

American  
[pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh-] / prɪˈpær əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ˈpɛər-, ˈprɛp ər ə- /

adjective

  1. serving or designed to prepare.

    preparatory arrangements.

  2. preliminary; introductory.

    preparatory remarks.

  3. of or relating to training that prepares for more advanced education.

idioms

  1. preparatory to, in advance of; before.

    The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off.
preparatory British  
/ -trɪ, prɪˈpærətərɪ /

adjective

  1. serving to prepare

  2. introductory or preliminary

  3. occupied in preparation

  4. as a preparation to; before

    a drink preparatory to eating
"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

Other Word Forms

  • nonpreparatory adjective
  • preparatorily adverb

Etymology

Origin of preparatory

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word praeparātōrius. See prepare, -tory 1

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.

The grouping added they welcomed "the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning" but provided no further details.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Last week, British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said that Treasury officials were re-examining preparatory work undertaken during the 2022 Russia-Ukraine energy shock.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2026

While a formal agenda has yet to be completed, the recent phone call between Trump and Xi is expected to trigger a round of high-level preparatory meetings between U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

That’s in part because it decided to experiment with age-verification steps in Australia long before it received the government’s letter, as a preparatory step.

From Slate • Feb. 11, 2026

She started to skin the rabbit, preparatory to cooking it.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

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.