prepare

[pri-pair]

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.

verb (used without object)

prepared, preparing 

1. to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready.

   to prepare for war.

prepare

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• preparer noun
• reprepare verb (used with object)
• unpreparing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepare¹

First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin praeparāre “to make ready beforehand,” equivalent to prae- pre- + parāre “to set, get ready” (akin to parent )

Word History and Origins

Origin of prepare¹

C15: from Latin praeparāre, from prae before + parāre to make ready

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

We have to be prepared for the unexpected.

From BBC

This seemed part of a wider argument that Reform should ramp up its campaigning activities and be prepared for all eventualities.

From BBC

Hey, who spends hours figuring out how to prepare his Scout troop for their adventures, said he couldn’t have designed “a better scenario to make the training very visceral and real.”

From Los Angeles Times

Aishe has been preparing for her next life since she arrived in New York, getting stronger, smarter, faster, so that she can make the leap to an existence that’s more comfortable, safer, more abundant.

From Los Angeles Times

As Sonia Silva prepared to leave work on Wednesday evening, she was asked by a colleague to help with a quick task.

From BBC

Related Words

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