preparatory

[ pri-par-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, -pair-, prep-er-uh- ]
/ prɪˈpær əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, -ˈpɛər-, ˈprɛp ər ə- /
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.

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Idioms for 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, prepared piano, preparedness
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to preparatory

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

Example sentences from the Web for preparatory

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