ready

Prepared for use or for something that will happen.

• Are you ready?
• The food is ready to eat.
• We got ready for the trip last night.

How to use it: ready to do something (We are ready to leave.); ready for something (Dinner is ready for you.)

Similar words: prepared

Opposites: unprepared

Common phrases: ready to go, ready for school, get ready

Already prepared or processed, so you do not need to do that work yourself.

• We bought ready-sliced bread.
• Ready-made clothes cost less than clothes made specially for you.
• She keeps ready-cooked meals in the freezer.

Similar words: preprepared

Common phrases: ready-sliced bread, ready-made clothes, ready-cooked meals

Likely or quick to do something or react in a particular way.

• She is always ready to laugh.
• He was ready to argue over every small detail.
• Their feelings are easily hurt, and they are ready to cry.

How to use it: ready to do something (He is always ready to take offense.)

Similar words: inclined, prone

Common phrases: ready to cry, ready to laugh, ready to argue

To prepare someone or something for use or action.

• Ready the equipment before we leave.
• The crew readied the ship for departure.
• She is readying her team for the final match.

How to use it: ready something for something (They readied the boat for the journey.)

Similar words: prepare

Common phrases: ready the equipment, ready the troops, ready something for use