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

On Friday, New South Wales Police said they were preparing to release seven men with extremist ideology, but that they would continue to be monitored.

From BBC

Later she paid a visit to ADF’s lawyers, who for days had been preparing their arguments in a hotel conference room.

From The Wall Street Journal

But are drivers prepared to get on board?

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s not much more to say without giving it all away, so prepare to titter, gasp, scream and cheer for this juicy slice of indulgent women’s entertainment.

From Los Angeles Times

The attack, dubbed Spider’s Web, took a year and a half to prepare, officials in Ukraine say.

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