prepared
prih-PEH-uhd
Prepared (adjective) means Ready and willing to do something, or made ready in advance. Example: “The team was prepared for heavy rain and brought waterproof jackets.”
adjective
1
Ready and willing to do something, or made ready in advance.
"The team was prepared for heavy rain and brought waterproof jackets."
"The journalist interviewed an eye-witness who was not prepared to disclose his identity."
"She was prepared to walk away from the deal if terms didn't improve."
"Always keep a prepared emergency kit in the car."
"Are you prepared to testify in court?"
How to use prepared
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishReady — whether that means willing to do something, or already set up in advance.
Common pairings
prepared to
well prepared
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more prepared
- Superlative
- most prepared
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The team was _____ for heavy rain and brought waterproof jackets.
Etymology
From prepare plus the adjective-forming suffix -ed.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for prepared
See all rhymes for prepared →Frequently asked questions
What does “prepared” mean?
The word “prepared” means ready and willing to do something, or made ready in advance. In plain terms, ready — whether that means willing to do something, or already set up in advance.
How do you pronounce “prepared”?
“Prepared” is pronounced prih-PEH-uhd (/pɹɪˈpɛɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “prepared” in a sentence?
Here is “prepared” used in a sentence: “She was prepared to walk away from the deal if terms didn't improve.”
What part of speech is “prepared”?
“Prepared” is an adjective.
Is “prepared” a common word?
“Prepared” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'prepared' and 'ready'?
They are close, but 'prepared' carries an extra sense of effort beforehand. 'Ready' simply means available to act right now, whatever the reason. 'Prepared' means you have done the work in advance to reach that state. You might be ready by luck, but being prepared implies planning, practice or forethought.
What is the opposite of 'prepared'?
The main opposite is unprepared — caught out with no plan, practice or readiness. Related antonyms include unready, caught off guard and taken by surprise. Someone unprepared for an exam hasn't revised; a team unprepared for bad weather hasn't packed the right kit. It signals a clear lack of advance effort.
What is an example of being prepared?
Packing an umbrella after checking the forecast is a simple example: you have taken a step in advance so a downpour won't catch you out. A student who has revised, a business with a backup plan, or a hiker carrying a map and food are all prepared — ready because they did the groundwork.
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