How to pronounce prepare
Say it like pree-PAIR. Prepare has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prepare. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- pree
- PAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prepare pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- preeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- PAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of prepare
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: prih-PAIR.
What does prepare mean?
- make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc“Get the children ready for school!”“prepare for war”
- prepare for eating by applying heat“Cook me dinner, please”“can you make me an omelette?”
- to prepare verbally, either for written or spoken delivery“prepare a report”“prepare a speech”
Where does prepare come from?
Partially a back-formation from preparation; and partially borrowed from Middle French preparer, from Classical Latin praeparāre (“make ready in advance”), from prae- (“pre-”) + parāre (“make ready”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with prepare
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of prepare.
Questions about saying prepare
How do you pronounce prepare?
Say pree-PAIR. The American pronunciation is /priˈpɛr/. In British English it is /prɪˈpɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prepare?
Prepare has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PAIR). Broken into parts: pree · PAIR.
Is prepare pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /prɪˈpɛə/ (prih-PAIR).