Prepackaged food has already been put together and put in a packet before you buy it, so you can eat it as it is, or only have to heat it. Think of a supermarket sandwich, a bag of salad, a frozen meal you put in the microwave. The shop — or the factory — did the work; you open and eat. It can sound a little cool, even a little unkind: homemade feels fresh; prepackaged can hint at factory food, less care. People also stretch it: a prepackaged holiday, a prepackaged opinion — something put together for you, with little room to choose. Though actually, British packing words sit close together. Prepacked often means already wrapped before it reached the shop, even flour, cheese, or nails. Prepackaged more often means ready to eat, or nearly. On labels the two get used as if they were twins. American English loves prepackaged; you also see pre-packaged with a hyphen.