care

¹

[kair]

noun

1. a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern.

   He was never free from care.

2. a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc..

   A massage is an excellent way to forget your cares for a little while.

   Their son has always been a heavy care to them.

3. serious attention; solicitude; heed; caution.

   She devotes great care to her work.

4. the provision of what is needed for the well-being or protection of a person or thing.

   He is under the care of a doctor.

   With proper care, the watch will last a lifetime.

5. temporary keeping, as for the benefit of or until claimed by the owner.

   He left his valuables in the care of friends.

   Address my mail in care of the American Embassy.

6. grief; suffering; sorrow.

verb (used without object)

cared, caring 

1. to be concerned or solicitous; have thought or regard.

   You can just tell she cares for people's feelings by the way she talks to them.

2. to be concerned or have a special preference (usually used in negative constructions).

   I don't care where we go, I just want to get out of town for a bit.

3. to make provision or look out (usually followed byfor ).

   Will you care for the children while I am away?

4. to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually followed byfor ).

   Would you care for dessert?

   I don't care for him very much.

verb (used with object)

cared, caring 

1. to feel concern about.

   He doesn't care what others say.

2. to wish; desire; like.

   Would you care to dance?

verb phrase

1. care about

   1. to have concern for or interest in.

      It's a privilege to stand in the presence of so many people who care about building a better Canada.

      They don't care about the privacy of the people who use their services.

   2. to have affection for; love.

      One of my greatest joys in life is cooking for those I care about.

CARE

²

Or Care

[kair]

noun

1. a private organization for the collection of funds, goods, etc., for distribution to people in foreign countries who need aid.

care

¹

/ kɛə /

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to be troubled or concerned; be affected emotionally

   he is dying, and she doesn't care

2. (intr; foll by for or about) to have regard, affection, or consideration (for)

   he cares more for his hobby than his job

3. to have a desire or taste (for)

   would you care for some tea?

4. to provide physical needs, help, or comfort (for)

   the nurse cared for her patients

5. (tr) to agree or like (to do something)

   would you care to sit down, please?

6. I am completely indifferent

noun

1. careful or serious attention

   under her care the plant flourished

   he does his work with care

2. protective or supervisory control

   in the care of a doctor

3. (often plural) trouble; anxiety; worry

4. an object of or cause for concern

   the baby's illness was her only care

5. caution

   handle with care

6. Usual abbreviation: c/o. at the address of: written on envelopes

7. social welfare made the legal responsibility of a local authority by order of a court

CARE

²

/ kɛə /

acronym

1. Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.; a federation of US charities, giving financial and technical assistance to many regions of the world

2. communicated authenticity, regard, empathy: the three qualities believed to be essential in the therapist practising client-centred therapy

Usage

Couldn't care less, a phrase used to express indifference, is sometimes heard as could care less, which ought to mean the opposite but is intended to be synonymous with the former phrase. Both versions are common mainly in informal speech.

Other Word Forms

• carer noun
• noncaring adjective
• overcare noun
• uncaring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of care¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun care “sadness, sorrow, grief,” Old English caru, cearu, cognate with Gothic kara, Old High German chara “lament”

Origin of care²

First recorded in 1945–50; shortening of C(ooperative for) A(merican) R(elief) E(verywhere)

Word History and Origins

Origin of care¹

Old English cearu (n), cearian (vb), of Germanic origin; compare Old High German chara lament, Latin garrīre to gossip

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take care,

   1. be alert; be careful.

      Take care that you don't fall on the ice!

   2. take care of yourself; goodbye: used as an expression of parting.

2. take care of,

   1. to watch over; be responsible for.

      to take care of an invalid.

   2. to deal with; attend to.

      I'll take care of the bill, and you can go out and get the car started.

3. couldn't care less, could not care less; be completely unconcerned: Also could care less.

   I couldn't care less whether she goes to the party or not.

More idioms and phrases containing care

• couldn't care less
• for all (I care)
• in care of
• in charge (the care of)
• take care
• take care of
• tender loving care
• that's (takes care of) that

Synonym Study

To take care, pains, trouble (to do something) implies watchful, conscientious effort to do something exactly right. To take care implies the performance of one particular detail: She took care to close the cover before striking the match. To take pains suggests a sustained carefulness, an effort to see that nothing is overlooked but that every small detail receives attention: to take pains with fine embroidery. To take trouble implies an effort that requires a considerable amount of activity and exertion: to take the trouble to make suitable arrangements.

Example Sentences

"Both sides have deliberately targeted civilians through attacks, summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhuman treatment in detention facilities, including denial of food, sanitation, and medical care," said Fact-Finding Mission chair, Mohamed Chande Othman.

From BBC

Cutler was charged with DUI, possession of a handgun while under the influence, failure to exercise due care and violating implied consent.

From Los Angeles Times

We’d love to have a country that supports free speech, offers universal health care and free education through college, taxes the rich appropriately and truly supports families and workers.

From Salon

Manufacturing and construction firms also reported payroll declines, offsetting gains in health care.

From BBC

Mobile health clinics and emergency medical teams have also been deployed to provide immediate care on the ground, with UN agencies and partners preparing to send more supplies to meet additional needs.

From BBC

Related Words

• carefulness www.thesaurus.com
• conscientiousness www.thesaurus.com
• diligence 
• effort 
• fastidiousness www.thesaurus.com
• meticulousness www.thesaurus.com
• scrupulousness www.thesaurus.com

When To Use

What is a basic definition of care?

Care means to devote thought to something and consider it important enough to be worthy of concern. Care also means an attention to detail or the supervision and protection of something. Care has several other senses as a noun and a verb.If you care about something, then you think it is worthy of your time and it is of concern to you. Most parents care what happens to their children, for example, and will protect and help them.

• Real-life examples: Animal lovers care about the safety and treatment of pets. Most citizens care where their tax money goes. The point of giving a person a present is to show that you care about them.



• Used in a sentence: I always watch the news because I care deeply about what is happening in the world. 

This sense of care is often used in the negative to mean to think something is unimportant or is unworthy of a person’s attention or concern.

• Used in a sentence: I really don’t care if you throw out that old couch. 

As a noun, care refers to caution or an attention to detail, usually when you are trying to not make a mistake or miss something. The adjective careful, meaning cautious, comes from this sense of care. The adjective careless means someone is not using care at all.

• Real-life examples: Surgeons use great care when they slowly and methodically perform surgeries. Drivers should use care when navigating snow and ice on the road. Masters of a craft devote great care to their work and create amazing things.



• Used in a sentence: The house was falling down because the carpenters didn’t devote much care when they built it. 

Care is also used to refer to a situation in which someone or something is under the protection and supervision of someone. A patient who is in a doctor’s care, for example, is being watched and tended to by their doctor. The idiom take care of is related to this sense of care. The term healthcare also comes from this sense.

• Real-life examples: Baby bears are under their mother’s care until they can protect themselves. Plants need proper care from gardeners if they are to grow successfully. Most people keep their money in the care of a bank or accountant.



• Used in a sentence: The children were in the teacher’s care during the field trip.