verb (used with object), pre·pared, pre·par·ing.
- to put in proper condition or readiness: to prepare a patient for surgery.
- to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling, cooking, etc.
- to manufacture, compound, or compose: to prepare a cough syrup.
- Music. to lead up to (a discord, an embellishment, etc.) by some preliminary tone or tones.
verb (used without object), pre·pared, pre·par·ing.
- to put things or oneself in readiness; get ready: to prepare for war.
verb
- to make ready or suitable in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etcto prepare a meal; to prepare to go
- to put together using parts or ingredients; compose or construct
- (tr) to equip or outfit, as for an expedition
- (tr) music to soften the impact of (a dissonant note) by the use of preparation
- be prepared (foll by an infinitive) to be willing and able (to do something)I’m not prepared to reveal these figures
mid-15c., a back formation from preparation and in part from Middle French preparer (14c.), from Latin praeparare “make ready beforehand” (see preparation). Related: Prepared; preparing. Be prepared as the Boy Scouts’ motto is attested from 1911.