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

A student of the game, King classed Riggs as one of her heroes, and she prepared both physically and mentally for the match.

From BBC

As the British Museum prepares to put the Bayeux Tapestry on display in London next September, the Cambridgeshire-based artist is furiously working away on her own full-size replica.

From BBC

“If it is going to happen, then we have to be prepared,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Melbourne pitch was prepared with 10 millimetres of grass on the wicket, making it heavily favourable for the bowlers with plenty of movement and bounce under overcast skies.

From Barron's

So Nacua said Friday that he was happy to enjoy Christmas before continuing to prepare for Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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