preparatory

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

/ prɪˈpær əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ˈpɛər-, ˈprɛp ər ə- /

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See 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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about preparatory

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

OTHER WORDS FROM preparatory

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

Words nearby preparatory

prepackage, prepacked, preparation, preparative, preparator, preparatory, preparatory school, prepare, prepared, preparedness, prepared piano

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preparatory in a sentence

The missive arrived at an Orlando-area preparatory school in October 2019, outlining a damaging allegation against a music teacher there.
How the Justice Department came to investigate Rep. Matt Gaetz|Matt Zapotosky, Michael Scherer|April 15, 2021|Washington Post
For example, at age 10, he completed the local two-year mandatory preparatory program in just one year.
Kotkin Biography Reveals Stalin's Evil Pragmatism|William O’Connor|November 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He went to public school until the 7th grade, and then attended Flintridge Preparatory School in La Cañada Flintridge, California.
Gone Guy: The Return of Haley Joel Osment|Marlow Stern|October 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
There were very few preparatory arrangements to be made for the marriage of Mr. Snodgrass.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Not, indeed, until the foreigner's foot was on the step preparatory to mounting did Garnache speak.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
She saw two fiery eyes; she saw the tiger gather himself preparatory to springing.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The poorest people reduce it to powder by manual labour, in the same way as they grind corn preparatory to baking it into cakes.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
By the time he passed out of the preparatory classes, his ideal faith in the order of things was shaken.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

British Dictionary definitions for preparatory

preparatory

/ (prɪˈpærətərɪ, -trɪ) /

adjective

serving to prepare

introductory or preliminary

occupied in preparation

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

Derived forms of preparatory

preparatorily, 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

preparatory

Idioms about preparatory

Origin of preparatory

OTHER WORDS FROM preparatory

Words nearby preparatory

Words related to preparatory

How to use preparatory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for preparatory

Derived forms of preparatory