prepare
//pɹɪˈpɛə//
Forms
- present (v1)
- prepare
- past (v2)
- prepared
- past participle (v3)
- prepared
- present participle
- preparing
- 3rd person singular
- prepares
Definitions
1.To make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up; to assemble or equip; to forearm.
- We prepared the spacecraft for takeoff.
2.To make ready for eating or drinking; to cook.
- We prepared a fish for dinner.
3.To make oneself ready; to get ready, make preparation.
- We prepared for a bumpy ride.
- Tourists visited a memorial hall adorned by a slogan in the handwriting of Chiang Kai-shek, Taiwan's divisive former nationalist leader: "Stay alert and prepare for battle."
4.To produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize, compound.
- She prepared a meal from what was left in the cupboards.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #881
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
Partially a back-formation from preparation; and partially borrowed from Middle French preparer, from Classical Latin praeparāre (“make ready in advance”), from prae- (“pre-”) + parāre (“make ready”).
Compare Middle English preparaten (“to prepare”).