Word family noun preparation preparations preparedness adjective prepared ≠ unprepared preparatory verb prepare
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishldoce_738_zpreparepre‧pare /prɪˈpeə $ -ˈper/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1 make something [transitive] a) to make a meal or a substance Prepare the sauce while the pasta is cooking. When we got home, Stephano was busy preparing dinner. b) to write a document, make a programme etc Health and safety officers will investigate the site and prepare a report. Green set himself the task of preparing a map of this remote area.► see thesaurus at cookRegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that someone makes a meal rather than prepares it:Who’s making dinner tonight?I’ll make the gravy.2 make plans/arrangements [intransitive, transitive]PREPARE to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future SYN get readyprepare for The 45-year-old explorer has been preparing for his latest expedition to the Arctic.prepare to do something Her parents were busy preparing to go on holiday. The prosecution wanted more time to prepare their case.RegisterIn everyday English, people usually say that someone gets ready for something rather than prepares for it:We’re getting ready to move next week.3 make something readyPREPARE [transitive] to make something ready to be used Prepare the soil, then plant the seedlings eight inches apart.prepare something for somebody/something Coulthard’s team were up all night preparing the car for the race.4 make yourself ready [transitive]PREPARE to make yourself mentally or physically ready for something that you expect to happen soonprepare yourself (for something) The letter arrived, and we prepared ourselves for bad news. Can you just give me a couple more moments to prepare myself?prepare yourself for a race/fight etc The Chicago Bears are busy preparing themselves for the big game.prepare to do something Buy the album, and prepare to be amazed.5 make somebody ready [transitive]PREPARE to provide someone with the training, skills, experience etc that they will need to do a job or to deal with a situationprepare somebody for something a course that prepares students for English examinations Schools should do more to prepare children for the world of work. What does a coach do to prepare his team for the Superbowl?6 → prepare the way/ground for somebody/somethingTHESAURUSto prepare for an eventprepare to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future so that you will be ready when it happensHe only had a few hours to prepare for the interview.The family are preparing to move to Queensland.get ready to prepare for something. Get ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday EnglishSmith has been busy getting ready for the race.The army was getting ready to attack.make preparations to prepare for an event that needs a lot of planningThe couple are making preparations for their wedding next year.gear up to prepare for an important event – used about companies, organizations, cities etcStores are gearing up for the busy Christmas shopping period.The city is gearing up for the Olympics.to prepare something so it can be usedprepare to make something ready to be usedHave you prepared your speech?Groundsmen were preparing the pitch for tomorrow’s game.get something ready to prepare something. Get something ready is less formal than prepare and is the usual phrase to use in everyday EnglishThey were getting the ship ready to sail.set (something) up to prepare equipment so that it is ready to be usedIt will take a few minutes to set the camera up.The band was setting up on the stage. → See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
prepare• Some French dishes take hours to prepare.• I've been so busy that I've had no time to prepare.• Mrs Fujimoto prepared a delicious meal for them.• Prepare a vinaigrette dressing with olive oil, white wine vinegar, and mustard.• People on the island are preparing for another storm.• These men and women had spent two weeks preparing for the big occasion, many taking unpaid leave from work.• He only had a few hours to prepare for the interview.• Nothing could have prepared him for what he saw during the war.• Each hotel prepares its own profit and loss account.• When they are not in the classroom, teachers spend much of their time preparing lessons.• The programs are aimed at preparing people who want to start up their own business.• His duties are to prepare the estimates of expenditure for all committees of the council after the council have formulated its policy.• Maintenance staff are busy preparing the field for tomorrow's big game.• Brenda spent all day preparing the meal.• Before you start painting, prepare the walls by cleaning them and filling any cracks.• The company is preparing to expand its European network.• Separate drills would have to be prepared to master each of the three clause types.• Its success is owed to the family that runs it with affection and pride, preparing traditional dishes with an easy perfection.• The Americans are preparing two new satellites for launch.• Your unconscious mind works out many of your conflicts in dreams, and generally prepares you for the challenges of the day.prepare to do something• He clears his throat, throws one more protesting look at David and prepares to begin.• A blind student and his partially-sighted friend are preparing to climb Ben Nevis with the aid of something called a hoople.• Anyway, for this illusion I would have been prepared to do anything.• People are prepared to donate money to pay for protection.• And it must be prepared to lose a few million pounds in the process.• Make sure that you correct the drift before touch down and then be prepared to prevent the swing into wind.• But if neither of these things happen, Labour will be forced to decide whether it is prepared to raise taxes.• Persson said he was prepared to review the question of the statute of limitations on war crimes and acts of genocide.• Kenny has spent months preparing to take the entrance exam.prepare something for somebody/something• I haven't prepared my report for the meeting yet.prepare to do something• He clears his throat, throws one more protesting look at David and prepares to begin.• A blind student and his partially-sighted friend are preparing to climb Ben Nevis with the aid of something called a hoople.• Anyway, for this illusion I would have been prepared to do anything.• People are prepared to donate money to pay for protection.• And it must be prepared to lose a few million pounds in the process.• Make sure that you correct the drift before touch down and then be prepared to prevent the swing into wind.• But if neither of these things happen, Labour will be forced to decide whether it is prepared to raise taxes.• Persson said he was prepared to review the question of the statute of limitations on war crimes and acts of genocide.prepare somebody for something• Romano said the Marines prepared him for the challenges of a professional career.Origin prepare (1400-1500) French préparer, from Latin praeparare, from parare “to get, prepare” 