Meaning of “care” in the English Dictionary

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"care" in English

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carenoun

uk ​ /keər/ us ​ /ker/

care noun (PROTECTION)

B2 [ U ] the process of protecting someone or something and providing what that person or thing needs:

The standard of care at our local hospital is excellent.
Mira's going to be very weak for a long time after the operation, so she'll need a lot of care.
Nurseries are responsible for the children in their care.

› [ U ] used as a combining form:

skincare/healthcare/childcare
take care of sb/sth

B1 to protect someone or something and provide the things that that person or thing needs:

Take good care of that girl of yours, Patrick - she's very special.
Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself (= I do not need anyone else to protect me).
in care also take/put into care UK

› Children who are in care or who have been taken/put into care are not living with their natural parents but instead with a national or local government organization or another family:

Both children were taken into care when their parents died.
care in the community UK

› a system in which people with mental illness or reduced mental ability are allowed to continue living in their own homes, with treatment and help, and are not kept in hospital

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care noun (ATTENTION)

B1 [ U ] serious attention, especially to the details of a situation or thing:

She painted the window frames with great care so that no paint got onto the glass.
You need to take a bit more care with your spelling.
The roads are icy, so drive with care.
Take care on these busy roads (= drive with attention so that you do not have an accident).
[ + to infinitive ] Take care not to (= make certain that you do not) spill your coffee.
[ + that ] Take care (= make certain) that you don't fall.
The parcel had a label on it saying "Handle with care".

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care noun (DEAL WITH)

take care of sth

C1 to deal with something:

If you can see to the drinks for the party, I'll take care of the food.
All the travel arrangements have been taken care of.
No, you paid for dinner last time, let me take care of (= pay for) it.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Idiom(s)

care of
have a care
have all the cares of the world on your shoulders
take care (of yourself)
without a care in the world

careverb [ I ]

uk ​ /keər/ us ​ /ker/

care verb [ I ] (WORRY)

B1 to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or upset about it:

She's never cared very much about her appearance.
[ + question word ] I really don't care whether we go out or not.
I don't care how much it costs, just buy it.
"Was Lorna happy about the arrangements?" "I don't know and I don't care."
Your parents are only doing this because they care about (= love) you.
I couldn't care less C1 UK informal US I could care less

› used to emphasize rudely that you are not interested in or worried about something or someone:

"Mike's really fed up about it." "I couldn't care less."
for all I care informal

› used to say that you are not interested in or worried about what someone else is doing:

You can go to the match with Paula, for all I care.
as if I care informal

› used to say that you are not interested in or worried about something that has happened or that someone has said:

He said he didn't approve of what I'd done, as if I cared.
who cares? B2 informal

› used to emphasize rudely that you do not think something is important:

"It looks as if we are going to lose." "Who cares?".

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Phrasal verb(s)

care for sb
not care for sb/sth

(Definition of “care” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"care" in American English

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carenoun

us ​ /keər/

care noun (HELP)

› [ U ] the process of providing for the needs of someone or something:

The quality of care at this hospital is very good.
Trees on city property don’t get any care.

care noun (ATTENTION)

› [ U ] serious attention, esp. to the details of a situation or a piece of work:

She painted the window frames with great care.

Idiom(s)

(in) care of

careverb

us ​ /ker, kær/

care verb (WORRY)

› to be interested in something, or to be anxious or upset about something:

[ I ] Don’t you care about what happens to the children?
[ I ] I really don’t care if we go or not (= It doesn’t matter to me).
[ + question word ] I don’t care how much it costs, just buy it.

care verb (WANT)

› [ I ] fml (used in polite offers and suggestions) to want something:

[ + to infinitive ] Would you care to join us for dinner?

Phrasal verb(s)

care for someone/something
care for something/someone

(Definition of “care” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

"care" in Business English

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carenoun [ U ]

uk ​ /keər/ us ​

› attention that is given to something or someone, so that they are looked after, protected, or dealt with in the right way:

There will be some mistakes no matter how much care goes into the first draft.
take care over sth People are taking more care over where they invest their money.
take care to do sth Take care to prepare for your interview by listing all the personal qualities and experience you have which suit you for the job.
care of

› abbreviation c/o COMMUNICATIONS used in addresses when the person you are writing to is staying or working somewhere that is not the place where they usually live or work:

You can send packages to me care of my hotel.
Address your letters to Write On, c/o BBC, Broadcasting House, London.
take care of sth/sb

› to look after or protect something or someone:

Take care of your home: it's your largest asset.
People are doing this job to put food on the table and take care of their children.

› to deal with or be responsible for something:

He suggested she could help run the firm and take care of the finances.
I'll take care of all the travel arrangements.

See also

childcare
customer care
healthcare
personal care

(Definition of “care” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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