preparation

The work you do to get yourself or something ready for a future event or task.

• The meal needs little preparation.
• Preparations for the wedding began in January.
• She practised daily in preparation for the competition.

How to use it: preparation for something (Preparation for the exam took several weeks.); in preparation for something (We cleaned the house in preparation for their visit.)

Similar words: getting ready

Common phrases: preparation for something, in preparation for, food preparation, careful preparation

The state of being ready to deal with something.

• Her level of preparation impressed us.
• The team reached a high state of preparation.
• Their lack of preparation became clear when the alarm sounded.

How to use it: preparation for something (The exercise tested our preparation for an emergency.)

Similar words: readiness, preparedness

Opposites: unpreparedness

Common phrases: state of preparation, level of preparation, mental preparation

A substance made for a particular use, especially a medicine or skin product.

• Apply the preparation to clean skin.
• The pharmacist recommended a herbal preparation.
• These preparations contain different amounts of the same medicine.

Similar words: product, mixture, compound

Common phrases: herbal preparation, skin preparation, medicinal preparation