prepares; prepared; preparing
1 a [+ object] : to make (someone or something) ready for some activity, purpose, use, etc.
The teacher prepared the students for the test.
Your room is being prepared now and should be ready soon.
The nurses prepared the patient for surgery.
Farmers are busy preparing the soil for planting.
b : to make yourself ready for something that you will be doing, something that you expect to happen, etc.
[no object]
They'll be arriving soon. We don't have much more time to prepare.
— often + for
We don't have much more time to prepare for their arrival.
He prepares for games by studying tapes of the opposing team.
At this time of year, most animals are preparing for winter.
[+ object]
We don't have much more time to prepare ourselves for their arrival.
She tried to prepare herself for bad news.
The sailors are preparing themselves for a long voyage.
2 [+ object] : to make or create (something) so that it is ready for use
She prepared [=made] dinner.
Prepare a salad.
He prepared [=wrote] a report for his boss.
The pharmacist prepared the prescription.