prepare
v.v. to get something ready so you can use it or do it later. You often use this when you make food or get ready for a test.
v. to make something ready for use or consideration; to put into a proper state of mind or readiness. Transitive when followed by a direct object, but often used intransitively with the preposition 'for'.
I need to prepare dinner for my family tonight.
Students usually spend several weeks in the library to prepare for their final examinations.
The legal team worked through the weekend to prepare a comprehensive response to the allegations before the court session began on Monday morning.
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”).
Often takes the preposition 'for' when the object is the goal or event being readied for.
I am preparing for my lunchI am preparing my lunchUse 'prepare for' for an event you will attend, but use 'prepare' without 'for' when you are physically making or creating something.