prepare

S2 W1

BrE /ˈprepəreɪ/ AmE /ˈprɛpər/

verb en → es

past prepared pp prepared ing preparing

1 MAKE READY [transitive, intransitive] A2

to make something ready for use or action; to get yourself ready for an event, test, etc.

preparar, hacerse preparativos para

  • prepare something for somebody/something
  • prepare yourself for something

Collocations prepare a meal · prepare for an exam

  • She prepared the food for the party.

    Ella preparó la comida para la fiesta.

2 COOK [transitive] B1

to cook or make a meal, especially before it is ready to eat

preparar, cocinar

  • prepare something for somebody

Collocations prepare a meal · prepare dinner

  • He prepared lunch for his family.

    Él preparó el almuerzo para su familia.

3 ARRANGE [transitive] B1

to arrange or organize something carefully and thoroughly before it happens

preparar, organizar

  • prepare something for somebody/something

Collocations prepare a speech · prepare an event

  • The company prepared the presentation for the meeting.

    La empresa preparó la presentación para la reunión.

4 TRAIN [intransitive] B1

to train or practice something in preparation for a future event, test, etc.

prepararse, entrenar

  • prepare yourself for something

Collocations prepare for an exam · prepare for a job interview

  • She has been preparing herself for the competition.

    Ella se ha estado preparando para la competencia.

5 FINANCE [intransitive] B2

to plan and save money in preparation for a future event or situation

prepararse, ahorrar

  • prepare yourself for something

Collocations prepare for retirement · prepare for a rainy day

  • They are preparing themselves financially for their children's education.

    Están preparándose financieramente para la educación de sus hijos.

6 PREPARE FOR [transitive] B2

to make something ready or available in advance of a need or event

preparar, disponer

  • prepare something for somebody/something

Collocations prepare an emergency kit · prepare a will

  • The hospital prepared the room for the patient.

    El hospital preparó la habitación para el paciente.

7 PREPARE FOR [transitive] C1

to make something ready or available in advance of a need or event, often with the implication that it will be used immediately after preparation

preparar, disponer

  • prepare something for somebody/something

Collocations prepare a speech · prepare an argument

  • She prepared her speech carefully before the meeting.

    Ella preparó su discurso cuidadosamente antes de la reunión.

8 PREPARE FOR [transitive] C1

to make something ready or available in advance of a need or event, often with the implication that it will be used immediately after preparation

preparar, disponer

  • prepare something for somebody/something

Collocations prepare a report · prepare a proposal

  • The team prepared the report for the board meeting.

    El equipo preparó el informe para la reunión del consejo.

Phrasal verbs

prepare for PREPARE FOR B1

prepararse para, disponerse a

  • We need to prepare ourselves for the worst.

    Necesitamos prepararnos para lo peor.

prepare something up PREPARE UP B2

preparar algo, disponer de algo

  • She prepared the food up early in the morning.

    Ella preparó la comida temprano por la mañana.

prepare something out PREPARE OUT C1

preparar algo, disponer de algo

  • The chef prepared the meal out in advance.

    El chef preparó la comida con antelación.

prepare something down PREPARE DOWN C1

preparar algo, disponer de algo

  • They prepared the budget down to the last detail.

    Ellos prepararon el presupuesto hasta el último detalle.

prepare something up for PREPARE UP FOR C1

preparar algo para, disponer de algo para

  • She prepared the presentation up for the board meeting.

    Ella preparó la presentación para la reunión del consejo.

Idioms

be all set B2

estar todo listo, estar preparado

  • We are all set for the trip.

    Estamos todos listos para el viaje.

be ready and waiting C1

estar preparado y esperando

  • The food is all prepared and waiting to be served.

    La comida está toda lista y esperando a ser servida.

be ready for anything C1

estar preparado para cualquier cosa

  • We are ready for anything that comes our way.

    Estamos preparados para lo que venga por delante.