prepare

American  

[pri-pair] / prɪˈpɛər /

verb (used with object)

prepared, preparing

1. to put in proper condition or readiness.

   to prepare a patient for surgery.

   Synonyms:

   order, arrange, provide

   Antonyms:

   disorganize

2. to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling, cooking, etc.

3. to manufacture, compound, or compose.

   to prepare a cough syrup.

   Synonyms:

   make

4. Music. to lead up to (a discord, an embellishment, etc.) by some preliminary tone or tones.

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verb (used without object)

prepared, preparing

1. to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready.

   to prepare for war.

prepare British  

/ prɪˈpɛə /

verb

1. to make ready or suitable in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc

   to prepare a meal

   to prepare to go

2. to put together using parts or ingredients; compose or construct

3. (tr) to equip or outfit, as for an expedition

4. (tr) music to soften the impact of (a dissonant note) by the use of preparation

5. (foll by an infinitive) to be willing and able (to do something)

   I'm not prepared to reveal these figures

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Related Words

Prepare, contrive, devise imply planning for and making ready for something expected or thought possible. To prepare is to make ready beforehand for some approaching event, need, and the like: to prepare a room, a speech. Contrive and devise emphasize the exercise of ingenuity and inventiveness. The first word suggests a shrewdness that borders on trickery, but this is absent from devise : to contrive a means of escape; to devise a time-saving method.

Other Word Forms

• preparer noun
• reprepare verb (used with object)
• unpreparing adjective

Etymology

Origin of prepare

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin praeparāre “to make ready beforehand,” equivalent to prae- pre- + parāre “to set, get ready” (akin to parent )

Explanation

To prepare means to get ready for something. When you prepare for a test, you'll get a better score than if you don’t. Look at all the variations that you find with prepare. If you prepare yourself mentally for an experience, you sent you mind on it happening. If you're going to tell your family that you're moving out, you might want to prepare them by having them sit down. Are you prepared for their reaction? Are you prepared to defend your decision? You can prepare wood to be painted by cleaning and sanding it. And if you prepare dinner, you cook it.

Example Sentences

You can do all you can throughout the week and prepare as best as you can for a game, but sometimes things are out of your control.

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

Investors are cautiously optimistic as Iran and the U.S. prepare for high-level talks in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, on Saturday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“With no resupply, refrigeration, or late-load capability, all meals must be carefully selected to remain safe, shelf-stable, and easy to prepare and consume in NASA’s Orion spacecraft.”

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

The positive results -- up 23 percent year-on-year -- come as theater owners prepare to gather in Las Vegas for their annual CinemaCon meeting, where studios offer a sneak peak of their upcoming slates.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Both men knew precisely how to prepare a home or business for disaster.

From "Storm Runners" by Roland Smith

Related Words

• arrange
• assemble
• brace
• develop
• draw up
• equip
• form
• formulate
• gird
• make
• plan
• produce
• provide
• qualify
• ready
• strengthen
• supply
• train