prepare
prih-PEH-uh
Prepare (verb) means to make something or someone ready for a particular purpose or event. Example: “They spent weeks preparing for the wedding.”
verb
1
To make something or someone ready for a particular purpose or event.
"They spent weeks preparing for the wedding."
"He prepared a speech for the retirement party."
"Students should prepare carefully before sitting their final exams."
2
To make food ready for eating; to cook.
"She prepared a simple meal of pasta and salad."
"He prepares breakfast for the whole family every Sunday morning."
"Preparing fresh vegetables takes longer than opening a tin, but tastes better."
How to use prepare
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo get something or someone ready, or to cook food.
Common pairings
prepare for
prepare a meal
be prepared to
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- prepares
- Past tense
- prepared
- Archaic forms
- preparest, preparedst, prepareth
Fill the gap
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He _____ a speech for the retirement party.
Etymology
Partly a back-formation from preparation, and partly borrowed from Middle French préparer, from Latin praeparare ("to make ready in advance"), from prae- ("before") plus parare ("to make ready").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for prepare
See all rhymes for prepare →Frequently asked questions
What does “prepare” mean?
The word “prepare” means to make something or someone ready for a particular purpose or event. In plain terms, to get something or someone ready, or to cook food.
How do you pronounce “prepare”?
“Prepare” is pronounced prih-PEH-uh (/pɹɪˈpɛ(ə)ɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “prepare” in a sentence?
Here is “prepare” used in a sentence: “He prepared a speech for the retirement party.”
What is another word for “prepare”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prepare” include busk, graith, ready and yark.
What part of speech is “prepare”?
“Prepare” is a verb.
Where does the word “prepare” come from?
The word “prepare” comes from Latin. Partly a back-formation from preparation, and partly borrowed from Middle French préparer, from Latin praeparare ("to make ready in advance"), from prae- ("before") plus parare ("to make ready").
Is “prepare” a common word?
“Prepare” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “prepare” have?
“Prepare” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make something or someone ready for a particular purpose or event.
What is the difference between prepare and plan?
To plan is to think ahead and decide how something will be done. To prepare is to actually get ready, gathering what is needed and putting things in place. You might plan a trip by choosing dates, then prepare for it by packing. In short, planning is deciding; preparing is doing.
What is an example of prepare?
You prepare a meal by gathering ingredients and cooking them, or prepare for an exam by studying beforehand. A coach prepares a team for a match through training. In each case, prepare means getting a person or thing into a fit state for a particular purpose or event.
What is the opposite of prepare?
The opposite is to neglect or improvise — to go into something without getting ready. Where preparing means arranging things in advance, its opposites include leaving matters to chance, winging it, or being caught off guard. To be unprepared is to face an event without having made it ready.
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