preparatory [pri-par -uh -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair -, prep -er-uh -]
Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for preparatory on Thesaurus.com serving or designed to prepare : preparatory arrangements. preliminary; introductory: preparatory remarks. of or relating to training that prepares for more advanced education. Show More
preparatory to , in advance of; before: The astronauts met with the press preparatory to lifting off. Show More
Origin of preparatory First recorded in
1375–1425; late Middle English word from
Medieval Latin word
praeparātōrius. See
prepare ,
-tory1 Related forms pre·par·a·to·ri·ly , adverb non·pre·par·a·to·ry , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
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.
It is exhibited at the Tate along with the mass of preparatory material he used to create it.
After preparatory school in Illinois, Hay went to Brown University, where he amused men and charmed women.
Two preparatory drawings—by Lorenzo Monaco and Raphael—are shown next to the relevant panel painting.
Historical Examples of preparatory In these last respects it is a preparatory study for "Othello."
The Preparatory Schools of Ruffianism are similarly borne with.
This preparatory work occupied the whole of Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Mr. Babbitt waved his fists again, preparatory to another outburst.
As a preparatory tonic I'd recommend strawberries and cream.
British Dictionary definitions for preparatory serving to prepare introductory or preliminary occupied in preparation preparatory to as a preparation to; before a drink preparatory to eating Show More
Derived Forms preparatorily , adverb Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
