preparatory

pre·pa·ra·to·ry

adj
\pri-ˈpa-rə-ˌtȯr-ē also ˈpre-p(ə-)rə-\

Definition of PREPARATORY

: preparing or serving to prepare for something : introductory

— pre·pa·ra·to·ri·ly \pri-ˌpa-rə-ˈtȯr-ə-lē also ˌpre-p(ə-)rə-\ adverb

Examples of PREPARATORY

1. There is a lot of preparatory work involved in teaching.
2. <a preparatory investigation to see if there is enough evidence to warrant bringing charges>

First Known Use of PREPARATORY

15th century

Related to PREPARATORY

Synonyms: beginning, introductory, precursory, prefatory, prelim, prelusive, preparative, preliminary, primary

Related Words: introducing, prefacing, preparing, readying; premonitory, warning; basic, elementary, fundamental; ahead, early, former, preceding, previous, prior

Near Antonyms: after, behind, following, subsequent

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Rhymes with PREPARATORY

accusatory, admonitory, adulatory, a fortiori, aleatory, ambulatory, amendatory, applicatory, approbatory, celebratory, circulatory, combinatory, commendatory, compensatory, conciliatory, condemnatory, confirmatory, confiscatory, conservatory, consolatory, contributory, copulatory, cosignatory, declamatory, declaratory, dedicatory, defamatory, denigratory, depilatory, depository, derogatory, designatory, dispensatory, divinatory, escalatory, excitatory, exclamatory, exculpatory, excusatory, exhibitory, exhortatory, expiatory, expiratory, explanatory, explicatory, exploratory, expository, expurgatory, incubatory, indicatory, inflammatory, informatory, innovatory, inspiratory, inundatory, invitatory, judicatory, masticatory, masturbatory, memento mori, millefiori, obfuscatory, obligatory, observatory, performatory, persecutory, predicatory, premonitory, prohibitory, reformatory, regulatory, repository, retributory, revelatory, respiratory, salutatory, stipulatory, supplicatory, transmigratory, undulatory