To prepare means to get ready for something that's coming. When you prepare for a spelling test, you study the word list ahead of time so you'll know the answers. When a baker prepares for the morning rush, she mixes dough and heats the ovens before customers arrive. When your family prepares for a road trip, you pack suitcases, check the car's tires, and plan your route.

Preparation often makes the difference between success and struggle. A soccer team that prepares for the championship by practicing plays and building endurance has a better chance than one that just shows up hoping to win. A student who prepares a speech by writing notes and rehearsing out loud will feel more confident than someone who wings it.

That beforehand part matters: preparing means thinking ahead and taking action before you actually need something. You can prepare a meal, prepare yourself mentally for a challenge, or prepare the ground for planting seeds.

Sometimes people say they're prepared for the worst, meaning they've thought about what could go wrong and made plans to handle it. Being well-prepared means you've done thorough work to get ready. When something catches you by surprise, you might say you were unprepared.