English Reference

Word

prepare

Phoneticspre·pare, stress on the second syllable

US/pɹiˈpɛɹ/

UK/pɹɪpˈeə/

Definitions

01to get ready

A1 · Beginner

v. to make something or yourself ready for a future event or task.

v. to make ready for a specific future purpose; to set up or equip in anticipation of a task.

“The students spent the whole weekend preparing for their final exams.”

“The legal team spent months preparing the documentation required for the complex international merger.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'for' when referring to an event.

Synonyms

readyarrangeorganize

Antonyms

neglectignore

02to cook food

A2 · Elementary Cooking

v. to make food or drink ready to be eaten.

v. to make ready for eating or drinking; to cook or assemble ingredients.

“He is in the kitchen preparing a special dinner for his parents.”

“The chef spent the afternoon preparing a five-course tasting menu featuring seasonal local ingredients.”

Synonyms

cookmakefix

03to create or synthesize

B2 · Upper Intermediate Science Technical

v. to make something by mixing different parts or chemicals together.

v. to produce or make by combining elements; to synthesize or compound a substance.

“The scientist had to prepare a new chemical solution for the experiment.”

“The laboratory was tasked to prepare a stable compound that could withstand extreme temperature fluctuations during transport.”

Synonyms

synthesizecompoundformulate

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”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

prepare(A1)

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

Idioms

01. prepare the ground

This entry

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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
Frequency
Common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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