prepare Hear it!

prepare Definition

pre·pare (prē par′, pri-)

transitive verb -·pared′, -·par′·ing

  1. to make ready, usually for a specific purpose; make suitable; fit; adapt; train
  2. to make receptive; dispose; accustom to prepare someone for bad news
  3. to equip or furnish with necessary provisions, accessories, etc.; fit out to prepare an expedition
  4. to put together or make out of ingredients, parts, etc., or according to a plan or formula; compound to prepare dinner or a medicine
  5. Music to use (a dissonant tone) in preparation

Etymology: ME preparen < MFr preparer < L praeparare < prae-, before (see pre-) + parare, to set in order, get ready, akin to parere, to bring forth, bear (see -parous)

intransitive verb

  1. to make things ready
  2. to make oneself ready

prepare Related Forms

pre·par′·edly (--id lē) adverb

prepare Synonyms

prepare

v.

  1. To make oneself ready

    get ready, foresee, arrange, make preparations, make arrangements, fit, adapt, qualify, put in order, adjust, set one's house in order, prime, fix, settle, fabricate, appoint, furnish, elaborate, perfect, develop, prepare the ground, lay the foundations, block out, roughhew, smooth the way, man, arm, set for, cut out, warm up, lay the groundwork, contrive, devise, lay by, lay in, make provision, put in readiness, build up, provide, provide for, provide against, make snug, clear the decks, hold oneself in readiness, be prepared, be ready; see also anticipate 2, plan 1.

  2. To make other persons or things ready

    outfit, equip, fit out; see provide 1.

  3. To cook and serve

    fix, make, cook, concoct, dress, brew; see also cook, serve 4.

prepare Usage Examples

Object

  • meal: If you know they are stressed or tired prepare a favorite meal and pamper them a little more than normal.
  • report: The IMT should also prepare a report at the end of the incident.
  • statement: Prepare a statement of events supported by relevant members of the crew.
  • plan: They also had to prepare a business plan for setting up a business in Mexico.
  • food: The school has a small income from preparing food - it can cater for 400 people in its large premises.
  • paper: The Committee's response should be discussed at the next meeting, for which the Secretariat should prepare a paper.

Subject

accountant: Nominee Director will only sign company accounts and annual returns prepared by the accountants of the company.

Infinitive complement

  • accept: We are prepared to accept applications for this position on a job share basis.
  • pay: They are also prepared to pay either for one-off tasks to be completed or for regular input over a period of time.
  • listen: But few outside a handful of health professionals and women's rights advocates are prepared to listen to recommendations made at the public symposium.
  • defend: The police need better information gathering, so they can prepare to defend our community, in advance.
  • admit: Now, I am quite prepared to admit that much of our behavior is determined.
  • sacrifice: They are prepared to sacrifice their lives, but for what?

Present participle complement

accord: Word-processed files must be prepared according to the journal style.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: The list of any derogation shall be prepared in accordance with the instruction included in the new standard letters.
  • advance: There are no formal lectures but seminars for which students are required to prepare in advance.

Preposition: for

  • exam: The series includes three titles to aid revision and help trainees prepare for exams.
  • pandemic: What is CDC doing to prepare for a possible H5N1 flu pandemic?
  • battle: Teach was a huge man, who enhanced his imposing appearance by tying lighted fuses into his beard when preparing for battle.

Preposition: by

accountant: Nominee Director will only sign company accounts and annual returns prepared by the accountants of the company.