prep

UK: /ˈprɛp/ US: /prɛp/ ,(prep)

Inflections of 'prep' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

preps

v 3rd person singular

prepping

v pres p

prepped

v past

prepped

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

prep /prɛp/   n., adj., v., prepped, prep•ping. 
n. 

1. Education a preparatory school:
   [countable] a small prep in a quiet area of the country.
   [uncountable* used in names]
   He went to All Hallows Prep.
2. an activity that goes before another and prepares the participant:
   [countable] It was a prep to the actual test.
3. preparation:
   [uncountable] not enough prep before the test.

adj. [before a noun]

4. preparatory:
   prep school.
5. Medicine involving or used for preparation:
   the mortuary's prep room.

v. 

6. to prepare (a person) for a test, etc.: [~ + object]
   a course to prep students for college entrance exams.
   [no object]
   to prep for the game.
7. Surgery to prepare (a patient) for a medical procedure:
   [~ + object] told the nurse to prep the next patient.

prep.,  an abbreviation of:

1. preparation.
2. preparatory.
3. prepare.
4. Grammar preposition.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

prep  (prep), n., adj., v., prepped, prep•ping. 
n. 

1. Education See preparatory school. 
2. a preliminary or warm-up activity or event;
   trial run:
   The race is a good prep for the Kentucky Derby.
3. preparation:
   dealer prep on the car included.
4. Medicine, Surgery the act of preparing a patient for a medical or surgical procedure.

adj. 

5. preparatory:
   a prep school.
6. Medicine involving or used for preparation:
   the mortuary's prep room.

v.t. 

7. to prepare (a person) for a test, debate, etc.
8. Medicine, Surgery to prepare (a patient) for a medical or surgical procedure, as by shaving and washing the skin with an antibacterial soap.
9. Transport to prepare (a vehicle or craft) for sale, use, a test drive, or a race.

v.i. 

10. to prepare;
    get ready:
    to prep for the game.
11. to attend a preparatory school.

• by shortening 1860–65

prep., 

1. preparation.
2. preparatory.
3. prepare.
4. Grammar preposition.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prep / prɛp/ noun

1. the act of making preparations
2. short for preparation5
3. 
   short for preparatory school

verb (preps, prepping, prepped)

1. (intransitive) often followed by for: to make preparations (for)
2. (transitive) to prepare (a patient) for a medical operation or procedure

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

PrEP / prɛp/ acronym:noun

pre-exposure prophylaxis: measures taken to prevent infection before exposing a person to a pathogen such as the HIV virus
Compare PEP12

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

prep. abbreviation

1. preparation
2. preparatory
3. preposition