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prepare

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verb American English pronunciation: prepare /prɪˈper/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyprepare
he/she/itprepares
present participlepreparing
past tenseprepared
past participleprepared
  1. 1
    [transitive] to make something ready for use

    I was asked to prepare a report for our next meeting.

    prepare something for someone/something:

    Wendy helped Karen prepare the room for their guests.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of prepare
    1. a.
      to make food ready to be cooked or eaten, for example by cleaning or cutting it

      Wash your hands before eating or preparing food.

      prepare something for someone:

      Bob was preparing breakfast for everyone.

      prepare someone something:

      The ship's chef prepared us a light lunch.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of prepare
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to make plans for a future event so that you will be ready for it
    prepare for:

    We need to prepare for the annual surge of Christmas shoppers.

    prepare something for someone/something:

    We're preparing a special reception for him when he returns.

    prepare to do something:

    Medical teams are preparing to leave for Mombasa to treat the survivors.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of prepare
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] to make yourself or someone else ready and able to deal with a future event

    The early introduction of the bill gives state governments time to prepare themselves.

    We were all working hard to prepare for the wedding.

    prepare (yourself) for something:

    I think you should prepare yourself for a shock.

    prepare someone for something:

    This course prepares graduates for management careers in the tourist industry.

    prepare (yourself) to do something:

    She knocked twice on the door and prepared herself to meet her new son-in-law.

    prepare someone to do something:

    We aim to cover your basic military training and prepare you to join the Navy team.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of prepare
  4. 4
    [transitive] to make a medicine or chemical by mixing substances together

    These remedies are prepared from the flowers of wild plants, bushes, and trees.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of prepare

phrase

This is the American English definition of prepare. View British English definition of prepare.

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