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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Prepare: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：get ready (prepare)

prepare 🔊

/prɪˈpeər/

To get ready for something that will happen in the future, like studying for a test or packing for a trip.

Illustration of a student preparing for exams with notes and a calendar marked 'Exam Week'.

get ready 🔊

➕

/ɡet ˈredi/

To make plans or arrangements in advance for a future event or task.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'prae-' (before, in advance) + 'parare' (to make ready, to provide).

💡 Mnemonic

Pre- (before) + pare (get ready) = prepare to get ready before something happens.

📖 Example

I need to prepare for my IELTS speaking test by practicing with a friend every day. 🔊 I need to prepare for my IELTS speaking test by practicing with a friend every day.

🔗 Collocations

prepare for – To get ready for a specific upcoming event or situation.

prepare to – To get ready to perform a specific action.

prepare carefully – To get ready with great attention and thoroughness.

🔄 Synonyms

arrange (v.) – To plan or organize things for a future event.

plan (v.) – To decide on and arrange in advance.

organize (v.) – To arrange systematically in order to make ready.

🚫 Antonyms

neglect (v.) – To fail to care for or prepare properly.

ignore (v.) – To refuse to acknowledge or prepare for.

🌱 Derivatives

preparation (n.) – The action or process of getting ready.

prepared (adj.) – Made ready in advance.

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'prepare' entered English from French in the late 15th century, tracing back to the Latin verb 'praeparare', meaning 'to make ready beforehand'. It has retained its core sense of advance readiness across centuries, now used ubiquitously from formal settings like business and academia to daily life.

Meaning 2：make ready (prepare)

prepare 🔊

/prɪˈpeər/

To make something ready for use, often by combining ingredients (like food) or organizing information.

Photo of hands preparing vegetables on a cutting board in a kitchen, following a recipe.

make ready 🔊

➕

/meɪk ˈredi/

To make something suitable for a particular purpose, often by combining or processing materials.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The chef will prepare a special dinner for us using fresh ingredients from the market. 🔊 The chef will prepare a special dinner for us using fresh ingredients from the market.

🔗 Collocations

prepare a meal – To cook and make food ready for eating.

prepare a report – To gather and organize information into a formal document.

prepare for use – To make an object or material ready to be utilized.

🔄 Synonyms

fix (v.) – To prepare something, especially food or a drink.

assemble (v.) – To fit together the parts or ingredients of something.

cook (v.) – To prepare food by heating it.

🚫 Antonyms

destroy (v.) – To end the existence of something by damaging or attacking it.

ruin (v.) – To severely damage or spoil something.

🌱 Derivatives

preparatory (adj.) – Serving to make ready or prepare for something.