# preparing

/pɝˈpɛɹɪŋ/ (US) · /pɹɪpˈeəɹɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preparing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. getting ready

verb · CEFR A2

making something or someone ready for a future event.

For teachers: the process of making something or someone ready for a specific purpose or event; the continuous aspect of 'prepare'.

- The chef is preparing the kitchen for the busy dinner service.
- The legal team spent several weeks preparing the witness for the cross-examination, ensuring she understood the implications of her testimony.

### 2. cooking

verb · CEFR A2

making food or a meal ready to eat.

For teachers: the act of making food or drink ready for consumption through assembly or cooking.

- She is preparing a healthy salad for her lunch tomorrow.
- Preparing a traditional French sauce requires patience and a precise control of temperature to prevent the ingredients from separating.

### 3. the act of preparation

noun · CEFR B1

the process of getting ready for something.

For teachers: the action or process of making ready; used as a gerund to describe the activity itself.

- Preparing for the marathon took six months of hard training.
- The careful preparing of the site was essential before the construction crew could begin laying the foundation for the new skyscraper.

## Examples

- She is preparing a healthy meal for her family.
- The students are preparing for their final exams by reviewing their notes every evening.
- The legal team spent several weeks preparing the necessary documentation to ensure the merger would proceed without any regulatory delays.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.