preparatory

[pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR preparatory ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

serving or designed to prepare: preparatory arrangements.

preliminary; introductory: preparatory remarks.

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

Idioms

preparatory to, in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off.

Origin of preparatory

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word praeparātōrius. See prepare, -tory¹

Related formspre·par·a·to·ri·ly, adverbnon·pre·par·a·to·ry, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for preparatory

previous, preliminary, before, elementary, opening, precautionary, prefatory, primary, inductive, prelusive, prep, preparative

Examples from the Web for preparatory

Contemporary Examples of preparatory

Moreover, a preparatory nap counteracts the effects of sleep deprivation better than a nap taken after the missed sleep.
13 Tips for the Best Nap Ever
DailyBurn
August 12, 2014
It is exhibited at the Tate along with the mass of preparatory material he used to create it.
All Hail Richard Hamilton, the Father of British Pop Art
Chloë Ashby
February 22, 2014
After preparatory school in Illinois, Hay went to Brown University, where he amused men and charmed women.
The Battle over President Lincoln’s Legacy
Tom LeClair
February 8, 2014
Two preparatory drawings—by Lorenzo Monaco and Raphael—are shown next to the relevant panel painting.
The Best of Brit Lit
Peter Stothard
July 9, 2010

Historical Examples of preparatory

In these last respects it is a preparatory study for "Othello."
The Man Shakespeare
Frank Harris
The Preparatory Schools of Ruffianism are similarly borne with.
The Uncommercial Traveller
Charles Dickens
This preparatory work occupied the whole of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
The Field of Ice
Jules Verne
Mr. Babbitt waved his fists again, preparatory to another outburst.
Shavings
Joseph C. Lincoln
As a preparatory tonic I'd recommend strawberries and cream.
The Rise of Roscoe Paine
Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for preparatory

preparatory

adjective

serving to prepare

introductory or preliminary

occupied in preparation

preparatory to as a preparation to; beforea drink preparatory to eating

Derived Formspreparatorily, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for preparatory

adj.

early 15c., from Late Latin praeparatorius, from Latin praeparatus (see preparation). Earlier in same sense was preparative (late 14c.). Applied from 1822 to junior schools in which pupils are "prepared" for a higher school.