# care about sth

CEFR A2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/care-about-sth
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

To think something is important and be interested in it. You often use it to talk about your feelings, values, or what worries you.

For teachers: To consider something important, significant, or worthy of concern. This transitive phrasal verb expresses emotional investment or personal values regarding its object.

## Examples

- She really cares about the environment.
- He pretends not to care about his grades, but he secretly studies every night.
- While the board focused on quarterly profits, only the founder seemed to care about the long-term ethical implications of their new technology.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I don't care for what you think." but "I don't care about what you think." — 'Care for' means to like or look after, while 'care about' means to consider something important.

## Usage notes

- Typically followed by an issue, a person, or a principle that is important to the subject.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with 'care for', which can mean 'look after' (I care for my elderly parents) or 'like' (I don't care for spicy food).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.