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.

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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

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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

And it required a lot of preparatory work and patience.

From Los Angeles Times

In June, the independent preparatory school, which has educated children for almost 130 years, announced it would sell the tables, which generations of children had eaten at, ahead of its closure on 31 December.

From BBC

The gallery is also showing some of Riley's preparatory drawings.

From BBC

Delegates involved in preparatory work said Argentina's representatives have been obstructive.

From Barron's

But when Paul Andrew Perez, the head of drama at an American college preparatory school, died suddenly, the last thing his students wanted to do was put on a show.

From BBC

Related Words

• preliminary
• previous