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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | préparer, from Latin praeparare, from parare 'to get, prepare' |
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pre‧pare S1 W1
1
make something
[transitive]a) to make a meal or a substance : 
Prepare the sauce while the pasta is cooking.When we got home, Stephano was busy preparing dinner. ! It is fairly formal to say that someone prepares a meal. It is more usual to say that they make or cook a meal: Bella was making dinner.
Prepare the sauce while the pasta is cooking.When we got home, Stephano was busy preparing dinner.b) to write a document, make a programme etc : Health and safety officers will investigate the site and prepare a report. Green set himself the task of preparing a map of this remote area.
Health and safety officers will investigate the site and prepare a report.Green set himself the task of preparing a map of this remote area.2 to make plans or arrangements for something that will happen in the future [= get ready] The prosecution wanted more time to prepare their case.
make plans/arrangements
[intransitive and transitive]The prosecution wanted more time to prepare their case.3 to make something ready to be used : Prepare the soil, then plant the seedlings 8 inches apart.
make something ready
[transitive]Prepare the soil, then plant the seedlings 8 inches apart. prepare something for somebody/something Coulthard's team were up all night preparing the car for the race.
Coulthard's team were up all night preparing the car for the race.4 to make yourself mentally or physically ready for something that you expect to happen soon
make yourself ready
[transitive] prepare yourself (for something) The letter arrived, and we prepared ourselves for bad news. Can you just give me a couple more moments to prepare myself?
The letter arrived, and we prepared ourselves for bad news.Can you just give me a couple more moments to prepare myself? prepare yourself for a race/fight etc The Chicago Bears are busy preparing themselves for the big game.
The Chicago Bears are busy preparing themselves for the big game. prepare to do something Buy the album, and prepare to be amazed.
Buy the album, and prepare to be amazed.5 to provide someone with the training, skills, experience etc that they will need to do a job or to deal with a situation
make somebody ready
[transitive] prepare somebody for something a course that prepares students for English examinations Schools should do more to prepare children for the world of work. What does a coach do to prepare his team for the Superbowl?
a course that prepares students for English examinationsSchools should do more to prepare children for the world of work.What does a coach do to prepare his team for the Superbowl?6 to make it possible for something to be achieved, or for someone to succeed in doing something : Curie's research prepared the way for the work of modern nuclear scientists.
prepare the way/ground for somebody/something
Curie's research prepared the way for the work of modern nuclear scientists.
