care

careverb

To care is to feel that someone or something matters to you, and so to worry about, look after, want, or like them.

1. feel it mattersfeel that someone or something is important to you and be interested in or worried about what happens to them

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] verb + wh-clause [V + wh]

   • I really care about my friends. V + prep + obj
   • She doesn't care what other people think. V + wh (negative)
   • Nobody seems to care about the old park. V + prep + obj
   • Who cares whether we win or lose? V + wh (question showing that something does not matter)

   Collocations

   adverb + verb really care, care deeply, not care at all

   verb + preposition care about someone, care about something

   Compare mind (I don't mind is polite and means either choice is fine; I don't care can sound rude or uninterested)

   For translators (sense 1)

   Grammar trap Care takes about before a noun: care about the environment. Before a clause beginning with a question word it takes no preposition: I don't care what happens.

2. look afterlook after someone who is young, old, or sick, or keep something in good condition

   In this sense care is followed by for.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • She cared for her mother for ten years. V + prep + obj
   • The nurses care for patients day and night. V + prep + obj
   • These plants are easy to care for.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition care for a child, care for the sick, care for a garden

   Synonyms look after

   For translators (sense 2)

   Meaning across languages Care for can mean look after (this sense) or like (another sense); the context and a negative or a polite question usually show which one is meant.

3. would likewant something or want to do something

   Used mainly after would in polite offers and requests (Would you care to join us?), and in formal statements such as if anyone cares to look.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf] formal

   • Would you care for some tea? V + prep + obj
   • Would you care to join us for dinner? V + to-inf
   • If anyone cares to look, the report is on my desk. V + to-inf

4. likelike someone or something

   Used mainly in negative sentences, followed by for. It is a softer, more formal way of saying that you do not like something.

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] formal

   • I don't much care for his music. V + prep + obj (negative)
   • She never really cared for big parties. V + prep + obj (negative)

See also care (the noun, as in take care of someone)