rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypreparatoryPreparing for a later stage
adjective

preparatory

prih-PAIR-uh-tor-ee/prɪˈpærətɔːri/

Serving to prepare someone or something for a later activity or stage.

The musician performs preparatory warm-up exercises.

A musician performs warm-up exercises before a small scheduled performance setup; preparatory activity, no decorative music glyphs.
Etymology
preLatinbefore
+parLatinmake ready
+atoryLatinserving to

The pieces describe serving to make ready beforehand. A preparatory action prepares the way for something that follows, making readiness its purpose.

In context

Property and Freedom Society9:22
the blackout in Britain, preparatory to German air bombing raids, which so far had not occurred
PFP063 | Anthony Daniels (Theodore Dalrymple) | “Public Health” as a Lever for Tyranny (PFS 2010)

More examples

  • She took a preparatory course before the examination.
  • Several preparatory meetings settled the schedule.
  • The exercise was preparatory to the main task.

Forms

preparatory

prepare verb — make ready

Similar words

preliminary
Preliminary means coming before; preparatory specifically helps make someone or something ready.
introductory
Introductory begins or presents a subject; preparatory equips someone for a later stage.