Meaning & use
prepping
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“prepping” is a form of “prep”.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitiveinformal
Getting something ready for use or for a later activity.
Grammar: Takes an object: prepping dinner; or stands alone: they are prepping for the test.
Patterns
- prep something
- prep for something
She is prepping the vegetables for tonight's stew.
The students are prepping for the final exam.
He spent the morning prepping the wall for paint.
noununcountableinformal
The activity of stocking food, tools and supplies in case of a disaster or emergency.
Grammar: Uncountable: prepping is popular online.
Patterns
- into prepping
- prepping for an emergency
Prepping became a hobby for him after the storm knocked out power for a week.
Online groups share tips about prepping for floods.
Her prepping includes water, canned food and a first-aid kit.
Word forms
| third person singular | preps |
|---|---|
| past tense | prepped |
| past participle | prepped |
| -ing form | prepping |
| base form | prep |
Common combinations
- prepping for
- He is prepping for a job interview.
- prepping ingredients
- The chef spends an hour prepping ingredients.
- meal prepping
- Meal prepping saves her time during the week.
- prepping a patient
- The nurse is prepping the patient for surgery.
- prepping supplies
- They are prepping supplies for the winter.
Synonyms and how they differ
- preparing
- Preparing is the neutral, slightly formal word, while prepping sounds casual and quick.
- getting ready
- Getting ready is the plain everyday phrase, whereas prepping suggests practical, step-by-step work.
- readying
- Readying is formal and rarely heard in speech, while prepping is common in kitchens and offices.
Word family
- prep noun
- short for preparation
- prepper noun
- a person who stocks supplies for emergencies
- prepped adjective
- made ready
- preparation noun
- the act of getting ready
- meal prep noun
- cooking meals in advance
Commonly confused: prepping or prepping (as in school)?
prepping vs prepping (as in school)
Prep can also mean a private preparatory school or homework in British English, which is a different meaning from getting ready.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'prepping' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Is prepping is a correct present continuous with a direct object. The other options misuse the -ing form where was, to or prepped would be needed.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “prepping”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.