preparation
- 01 B1 Intermediate
the work you do to get ready for an event, task, or exam.
the act or process of making ready or preparing for a specific purpose.
Simple“The team spent months in preparation for the international competition.”
In context“Careful preparation is essential for a successful interview, as it allows the candidate to articulate their experiences with greater clarity and confidence.”
Usageoften used as an uncountable noun when referring to the general effort or process.
PitfallI did many preparations for the trip. I did a lot of preparation for the trip.When talking about the general effort of getting ready, 'preparation' is usually uncountable. Use the plural 'preparations' for specific, separate tasks.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B1 Intermediate
the specific things you do or the plans you make to get ready.
preparatory measures or arrangements made in anticipation of an event.
Simple“The wedding preparations are almost finished, and the guests arrive tomorrow.”
In context“Despite the extensive preparations made by the local authorities, the scale of the storm caught many residents by surprise.”
Usagetypically used in the plural form 'preparations'.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
a substance, such as a medicine or a chemical, that has been specially made for a purpose.
a substance or mixture prepared according to a specific formula, often for medical or laboratory use.
Simple“The doctor prescribed a liquid preparation to help soothe his skin.”
In context“The pharmacist explained that this particular herbal preparation should be kept in a cool, dark place to maintain its potency.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
a note that is played before a difficult or clashing sound to make it smoother.
the introduction of a dissonant note as a consonant constituent of the preceding chord.
Simple“The composer used a careful preparation before the final dramatic chord.”
In context“In classical counterpoint, the preparation of a dissonance is strictly governed by rules to ensure a logical harmonic progression.”
Antonyms
Usage require preparation
“Herd explained that there is a desire to hold more water on this type of land, particularly in preparation for the dry summer months.”
“A team of experts flew to Canada to meet the whales' previous caretakers months prior and pored over years of their health records in preparation for the trip.”
From Middle English preparacion, from Middle French preparacion, from Latin praeparatio, praeparationem. Morphologically prepare + -ation.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.