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.

---

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

---

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 )

Example Sentences

Prosecutors told the court they needed further time to prepare evidence.

From BBC

Scotland are also facing the Ivory Coast at the stadium on 31 March to prepare for this summer's men's World Cup.

From BBC

Jones will reprise her role as Gemma Foster, who is still a GP and living in the same house, and is on the brink of a fresh start as she prepares to get married.

From BBC

"I also knew that as voting members, most people in the audience would have seen I Swear and would be well prepared, well educated and well informed about my condition," he said.

From BBC

“I’m not prepared for one to run up in my face in response to a positive headline.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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