prepare

1 of 2

verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈper 

prepared; preparing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use, or activity

prepare food for dinner

farmers preparing the soil for planting

b

: to put in a proper state of mind

is prepared to listen

2

: to work out the details of : plan in advance

preparing a campaign strategy

3

a

: to put together : compound

prepare a prescription

b

: to put into written form

prepare a report

intransitive verb

: to get ready

preparing for a career

preparer noun

preparer

2 of 2

noun

pre·​par·​er

prēˈpa(a)rə(r), 

-ˈper-

plural -s

: one that prepares

especially : a worker who performs the preliminary or initial steps of a manufacturing process

Synonyms of prepare

Verb

• ready
• provide
• furnish
• fortify
• prep
• equip
• arrange
• fix

Examples of prepare in a Sentence

Verb

The teacher prepared the students for the test.

Your room is being prepared now and should be ready soon.

The nurses prepared the patient for surgery.

Farmers are busy preparing the soil for planting.

They'll be arriving soon. We don't have much more time to prepare.

We don't have much more time to prepare ourselves for their arrival.

She tried to prepare herself for bad news.

The sailors are preparing themselves for a long voyage.

The pharmacist prepared the prescription.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

While park conditions can often be dangerous, from high heat to landslides, the key to a safe national park visit is being well-informed and prepared. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 June 2026

After Alicent’s misunderstanding — which leads to Aegon II claiming the throne — Rhaenyra prepares for war and gathers allies to fight for her rightful claim to the throne. — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026

Inspectors stopped food preparation immediately and tomato soup prepared with the brown water was discarded. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 June 2026

Since the Lake Superior weather is notoriously fickle, be prepared for rain in warmer months as well. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English preparen, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French preparer, borrowed from Latin praeparāre "to furnish beforehand, put in a state of readiness," from prae- pre- + parāre "to supply, provide, make ready" — more at pare

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for prepare

• abwehr
• affair
• affaire
• airfare
• altair
• armchair
• aware
• beware
• bugbear
• carfare
• childcare
• compare

Kids Definition

prepare

verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈpa(ə)r 

-ˈpe(ə)r

prepared; preparing

1

: to make ready beforehand

prepared us for the news

prepare for a test

2

: to put together the elements of : compound

prepare a prescription

preparer noun

Medical Definition

prepare

transitive verb

pre·​pare pri-ˈpa(ə)r, -ˈpe(ə)r 

prepared; preparing

1

: to make ready beforehand

prepare a patient for surgery

2

: to put together : compound

prepared a vaccine from live virus

prepared the doctor's prescription