prête

Prête is a French term that appears in two related contexts. It is the feminine singular present indicative form of the verb prêter, meaning to lend or to loan something. It is also the feminine singular form of the adjective prêt, meaning ready or prepared. In both uses the spelling is prête, and the pronunciation is the same, though the grammatical role differs.

In its verbal sense, prête occurs with feminine subjects. For example: Elle prête un livre à son voisin. Another example is Je lui prête cinquante euros. In these cases, prête signals an act of lending.

In its adjective sense, prête describes readiness. It is used with forms of être or with phrases indicating willingness or preparation. For example: Elle est prête à partir. The masculine counterpart is prêt, as in Le gâteau est prêt, while Elle est prête uses the feminine form.

Ambiguity can arise because the same spelling prÊte appears in both senses; context usually clarifies whether the word functions as a verb form or as an adjective. The distinction is also clear from surrounding words: a verb with a subject gives a lending action, while être + prête signals readiness.

Related terms include prêter (to lend), prêt (a loan or loan arrangement), and prêt-à-porter (ready-to-wear), which uses prêt in the sense of ready. Prête as a standalone form is primarily encountered in everyday sentences indicating lending or readiness.