English Dictionary

Definition of “prepare”

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prepare (prɪˈpɛəPronunciation for prepare) 

Definitions

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. See be prepared

Alternative Forms

preˈparer noun

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= make or get ready arrange, draw up, form, fashion, get up, construct, assemble, contrive, put together, make provision put in order jack up,
= equip, fit, adapt, adjust, outfit, furnish, fit out, accoutre,
= train, guide, prime, direct, coach, brief, discipline, groom, put someone in the picture
= make, cook, put together, get, produce, assemble, muster, concoct, fix up, dish up, rustle up,
= get ready, plan, anticipate, make provision lay the groundwork make preparations arrange things get everything set
= practise, get ready, train, exercise, warm up, get into shape
= brace, ready, strengthen, fortify, steel, gird,

Translations

  • British English: prepare Pronunciation for prepare If you prepare something, you make it ready for something that is going to happen.Before painting, you must prepare the walls by washing them.prɪˈpɛə VERB Before painting, you must prepare the walls by washing them.
  • Spanish: preparar Pronunciation for preparar v
  • French: préparer Pronunciation for préparer vt
  • German: vorbereiten Pronunciation for vorbereiten v
  • Chinese: 准备Pronunciation for 准备 v
  • Arabic: يُعِدPronunciation for يُعِد v
  • Portuguese: prepararPronunciation for preparar v
  • Russian: готовить(ся)Pronunciation for готовить(ся) v
  • Croatian: pripremitiPronunciation for pripremiti v
  • Czech: připravitPronunciation for připravit v připravovat
  • Danish: forberedePronunciation for forberede v
  • Dutch: voorbereidenPronunciation for voorbereiden v
  • Finnish: valmistellaPronunciation for valmistella v
  • Greek: ετοιμάζωPronunciation for ετοιμάζω v
  • Italian: prepararePronunciation for preparare v
  • Japanese: 準備するPronunciation for 準備する v
  • Korean: 준비하다Pronunciation for 준비하다 v
  • Norwegian: forberedePronunciation for forberede v
  • Polish: przygotowaćPronunciation for przygotować v przygotowywać
  • Brazilian Portuguese: prepararPronunciation for preparar v
  • European Spanish: preparar Pronunciation for preparar v
  • Swedish: förberedaPronunciation for förbereda v
  • Thai: เตรียมPronunciation for เตรียม v
  • Turkish: hazırlamaPronunciation for hazırlama v
  • Vietnamese: chuẩn bịPronunciation for chuẩn bị v

Usage examples

  • And I ought to be on my way home: I've got a meal to prepare.
    Low, Ona, To His Just Desserts (1986)
  • Either that or they're using the time to prepare the lawsuit.
    NME (New Musical Express) (2002)
  • The girls claimed they were abused by Father Grennan during a class to prepare for their confirmation.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • Glasgow clearly made mistakes in failing to prepare the local community for the influx.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Rose's lawyer asked me to prepare a report on how Rose had been affected by her accident.
    Dorothy Rowe, BEYOND FEAR (2002)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'P'

Related Terms

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