prepare Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
    set; fix; set up; gear up; ready.
    • Get the children ready for school!
    • prepare for war
    • I was fixing to leave town after I paid the hotel bill
  2. verb prepare for eating by applying heat
    cook; ready; fix; make.
    • Cook me dinner, please
    • can you make me an omelette?
    • fix breakfast for the guests, please
  3. verb to prepare verbally, either for written or spoken delivery
    • prepare a report
    • prepare a speech
  4. verb arrange by systematic planning and united effort
    organize; devise; machinate; get up; organise.
    • machinate a plot
    • organize a strike
    • devise a plan to take over the director's office
  5. verb educate for a future role or function
    train; groom.
    • He is grooming his son to become his successor
    • The prince was prepared to become King one day
    • They trained him to be a warrior
  6. verb create by training and teaching
    educate; train; develop.
    • The old master is training world-class violinists
    • we develop the leaders for the future
  7. verb lead up to and soften by sounding the dissonant note in it as a consonant note in the preceding chord
    • prepare the discord in bar 139
  8. verb undergo training or instruction in preparation for a particular role, function, or profession
    train.
    • She is training to be a teacher
    • He trained as a legal aid

WordNet

Pre*pare" transitive verb
Etymology
F. préparer, L. praeparare; prae before + parare to make ready. See Pare.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prepare ; present participle & verbal noun Preparing
Definitions
  1. To fit, adapt, or qualify for a particular purpose or condition; to make ready; to put into a state for use or application; as, to prepare ground for seed; to prepare a lesson.
    Our souls, not yet prepared for upper light. Dryden.
  2. To procure as suitable or necessary; to get ready; to provide; as, to prepare ammunition and provisions for troops; to prepare ships for defence; to prepare an entertainment. Milton.
    That they may prepare a city for habitation. Ps. cvii. 36
    Syn. -- To fit; adjust; adapt; qualify; equip; provide; form; make; make; ready.
Pre*pare" intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make all things ready; to put things in order; as, to prepare for a hostile invasion. "Bid them prepare for dinner." Shak.
  2. To make one's self ready; to get ready; to take the necessary previous measures; as, to prepare for death.
Pre*pare" noun
Definitions
  1. Preparation. Obs. Shak.

Webster 1913