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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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adjective
serving or designed to prepare: preparatory arrangements.
preliminary; introductory: preparatory remarks.
of or relating to training that prepares for more advanced education.
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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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preparatory in a sentence

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
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