prep

plural preps

1. countablePreparation.

   There was a bit of prep to set the drill press up for the operation. First, the table had to be rotated 90 degrees. Next, I had to set up a fence to cut each tenon exactly on center.

   2026 August 28, Collin Knoff, “Mid-Century Modern Table”, in Popular Woodworking, volume 290, number 4, page 48

2. countableuncountablehobbiesA preparatory race or workout.
3. abbreviationcountableuncountableAbbreviation of preposition.
4. countableinformalA prep school.
5. countableinformalA student or graduate of a prep school, a preppy.First known use late 19th c.
   1. UScountablederogatoryinformalslanguncountableA person using the styles and mannerisms (especially in terms of fashion) associated with prep students.
6. UKuncountablechiefly private schoolsHomework; work set to do outside class time.
7. AustraliacountableuncountableNursery school; preschool.
8. PhilippinescountableuncountablePreparatory level; the last two levels or the fourth and fifth years of preschool; the two levels before first grade.
9. alternativecountableuncountableAlternative form of PrEP.

present singular third person preps · participle present prepping · participle past prepped · past prepped

1. informaltransitiveTo prepare.

   prep someone for something

   Synonyms: prep up

alternative prep

1. abbreviationacronymmedicineAcronym of pre-exposure prophylaxis.

   I was already on PrEP, but we were good about condoms.

   2020, Bryan Washington, Memorial, Atlantic Books (2021), page 152

   1 more example

   ‘We talked about it at the beginning and said it would be fine. Are you on PrEP?’ ‘Of course, babes! I was first in the queue! So you both see other guys?’

   2020, Paul Mendez, Rainbow Milk, Dialogue Books (2021), page 326