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 )

Example Sentences

Southwest was preparing in a few days to ditch open seating and go to preassigned seat sales.

From Los Angeles Times

With Tadgh Furlong still not fully fit, Farrell said he was not prepared to risk the British and Irish Lion for this game.

From Barron's

Jones was in charge when Japan stunned South Africa at the 2015 World Cup but then had only four days to prepare for their next game against Scotland, which they went on to lose.

From Barron's

Now the richly gifted run-scorer has an early chance to shift the focus back on to his batting as he prepares for England's opener against Nepal in Mumbai on Sunday.

From Barron's

To prepare, research what similar vehicles are selling for and what interest rates your credit history would qualify you for.

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