prepared

/prɪˈpeəd/ (bre, ipa) · /prɪˈperd/ (ame, ipa) · /pri-ˈperd/ (ame, mw)

prepared — adjective

1. having everything you need to handle a situation, especially a difficult or unex

1.形容詞B1
釋義

having everything you need to handle a situation, especially a difficult or unexpected one, because you have planned ahead.

例句

Maya was prepared for the job interview after three weeks of practice.

be prepared for + noun (situation/event)

The hikers were prepared with maps, water, and a first-aid kit.

be prepared with + noun (the resources)

同義詞
  • ready

    more general; 'ready' can describe a state of completion as well as readiness for an event

  • equipped

    stresses having the right tools, skills, or supplies

  • primed

    slightly formal; suggests being made fully ready just before an event

反義詞
  • unprepared

    direct opposite; lacking the planning or supplies needed

  • caught off guard

    phrase; describes being surprised because you were not ready

文法句型

be prepared for + noun

be prepared with + noun

用法筆記

Almost always predicative (after 'be', 'feel', 'seem', 'stay'); rarely placed before a noun. Distinguish from sense 3 (followed by 'to do'): sense 1 takes 'for + noun'.

常見錯誤

❌She is a prepared student for the test.
✅She is a student who is prepared for the test.
💡in this meaning, 'prepared' is not used directly before a noun.
❌I was prepared of the bad news.
✅I was prepared for the bad news.
💡the preposition is 'for', not 'of'.

2. made, written, or treated some time before it is needed or used, rather than at

2.形容詞B2
釋義

made, written, or treated some time before it is needed or used, rather than at the moment.

例句

The minister read from a carefully prepared statement after the meeting.

before noun: 'prepared statement / speech / remarks'

Many supermarkets now sell prepared meals for busy families.

collocation: prepared meals / food

同義詞
  • ready-made

    stresses the product can be used at once with no extra work

  • pre-made

    informal; common with food, kits, and craft items

  • premeditated

    formal; usually negative, used about plans or crimes thought out earlier

反義詞
  • improvised

    made up on the spot, without planning

  • spontaneous

    happening or said without earlier thought

  • fresh

    of food: just made, not prepared earlier

文法句型

prepared + noun (food, statement, speech)

用法筆記

Used directly before a noun (attributive). Often modified by adverbs like 'carefully', 'specially', 'freshly' that show how or when the work was done.

常見錯誤

❌The food was prepared for advance.
✅The food was prepared in advance.
💡the fixed phrase is 'in advance'.
❌She gave a prepared for speech.
✅She gave a prepared speech.
💡no preposition between 'prepared' and the noun in this attributive use.

3. ready and willing to take an action, especially one that is costly, demanding, o

3.形容詞B2
釋義

ready and willing to take an action, especially one that is costly, demanding, or that you would normally try to avoid.

例句

Marcus was prepared to walk three hours just to bring his sister medicine.

be prepared to + bare infinitive

Are you prepared to pay extra if the repair takes longer than expected?

question form: 'are you prepared to…?' for testing willingness

同義詞
  • willing

    very close in meaning; 'willing' is slightly more positive and less formal

  • ready

    in this sense, 'ready to do' means almost the same; slightly more eager in tone

  • disposed

    formal; often used in writing about attitudes or tendencies

反義詞
  • unwilling

    direct opposite; clearly does not want to do the action

  • reluctant

    softer; shows hesitation rather than refusal

文法句型

be prepared to do something

用法筆記

Always followed by a to-infinitive ('prepared to do'); never by 'for + verb-ing' in this sense. 'Not prepared to' is a common, polite way to refuse a request without sounding harsh. Distinguish from sense 1, which uses 'for + noun'.

常見錯誤

❌I am prepared for paying more.
✅I am prepared to pay more.
💡willingness uses 'to + verb', not 'for + -ing'.
❌He is prepared do the job.
✅He is prepared to do the job.
💡'to' is required before the verb.