ready
gb/ɹˈɛdi/ us/ɹˈɛdi/
A1
English
~ 1000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
state
1
Prepared and available for use
Prepared and able to do something or be used right away.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is ready to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'ready' with 'prepare'. 'Prepare' is the action of getting ready; 'ready' describes the state after preparation.
Synonyms
prepared (More formal and often implies thoroughness in readiness.)
Antonyms
unprepared (Lacking preparation or readiness for something.)
Collocations
get ready
|ready to go
|ready for anything
|ready and waiting
|ready for use
Themes
daily life
|work
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was ready to leave when the taxi arrived.
- The documents are ready for your signature.
- Dinner will be ready in ten minutes.
- He’s always ready to help his friends.
Learner examples
- I am ready to go.
- The food is ready now.
- She is ready for school.
- We are ready to start.
Verb
B1
action
2
Prepare something or someone
To make something or someone ready for something.
Usage pattern:
to ready [someone/something] for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often use 'get ready' instead of the verb 'ready', which is less common and more formal in modern English.
Synonyms
prepare (Most common general term for making ready; 'ready' is less frequent and sometimes more formal.)
Antonyms
neglect (Fail to prepare or take care of something.)
Collocations
ready the equipment
|ready yourself
|ready the team
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They readied the room for the meeting.
- She readied herself for the interview.
- The crew readied the ship for departure.
Learner examples
- I will ready my bag for school.
- He readied the car for the trip.
- We must ready the house for guests.
adjective
A2
state
3
Willing and mentally prepared
Wanting and prepared in your mind to do something now.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is ready to [do something]
Synonyms
willing (Focuses more on consent than preparation.)
Antonyms
reluctant (Unwilling or hesitant to do something.)
Collocations
ready to talk
|ready to listen
|ready to fight
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m ready to hear your side of the story.
- She wasn’t ready to forgive him yet.
- They are ready to sign the agreement.
Learner examples
- I am ready to help you.
- He is ready to play now.
- We are ready to work.
adjective
B1
property
4
Quick or likely to act
Quick to do something without waiting or thinking much.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is ready to [do something]
Synonyms
inclined (More formal; suggests tendency rather than speed.)
Antonyms
hesitant (Slow or unwilling to act or decide.)
Collocations
ready to believe
|ready to blame
|ready to accept
Themes
personality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s always ready to help others in need.
- He was ready to believe any rumor he heard.
- They were ready to blame the weather.
Learner examples
- I am ready to help my friends.
- He is ready to believe her story.
- They are ready to try new food.
Grammar
Dictionary form
ready
IPA
GB/ɹˈɛdi/
US/ɹˈɛdi/
Syllables & stress
ready (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (ready)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: ready
- Comparative: readier
- Superlative: readiest
Verb
- Base: ready
- 3rd Person Singular: readies
- Present Participle: readying
- Past: readied
Word family
Expressions
at the ready
1/ˈæt ðə ɹˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
Prepared for immediate use
Ready and available to use right away.
Examples
- The firefighters stood at the ready in case of an emergency.
- She kept a pen at the ready during the meeting.
get ready
1/ɡˈɛt ɹˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
Prepare for something soon
To prepare yourself or something for something that will happen soon.
Examples
- Hurry up and get ready, we’re leaving in ten minutes.
- She’s getting ready for her big presentation.
make ready
1/mˈeɪk ɹˈɛdi/
fixed phrase
formal
Prepare something for use or action
To prepare something so it can be used or happen soon.
Examples
- The soldiers made ready their weapons before the march.
- We must make ready the hall before guests arrive.
ready and waiting
1/ɹˈɛdi ˈænd wˈeɪtɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Completely prepared and waiting
Completely prepared and waiting for someone or something to happen.
Examples
- The team was ready and waiting when the bus arrived.
- Dinner was ready and waiting when we got home.