Word
preparatory
Phoneticsprepara·to·ry
US/ˈpɹɛpɹəˌtɔɹi/
UK/pɹɪpˈæɹətəɹˌi/
Definition
adj. done in order to get ready for something more important that will happen later.
adj. serving to prepare for a subsequent event or action; introductory in nature.
Examples
“The team did some preparatory exercises before the big game.”
“The committee held several preparatory meetings to ensure the main conference would run smoothly next month.”
“Before the surgeon began the delicate procedure, the medical staff completed a series of preparatory checks to verify that all equipment was sterile and functioning correctly.”
Examples
simple
“The team did some preparatory exercises before the big game.”
contextual
“The committee held several preparatory meetings to ensure the main conference would run smoothly next month.”
complex
“Before the surgeon began the delicate procedure, the medical staff completed a series of preparatory checks to verify that all equipment was sterile and functioning correctly.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun; often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Pitfall
preparatory of the exam
preparatory to the exam
When used to indicate what something is preparing for, the adjective takes the preposition 'to' rather than 'of'.
Real-World Examples
“The judge ruled that the operators could continue preparatory work at the sites but must stop short of producing oil and gas until a final decision had been taken.” “The collection that Daniel holds is now fully digitized, and includes Ed’s finished paintings and works on paper, preparatory tracings, journals and sketchbooks.” Etymology
From Middle English preparatori, from Late Latin praeparatorius. By surface analysis, prepare + -atory.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/preparatory