# care

/ˈkɛɹ/ (US) · /kˈeə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/care
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. attention and effort

noun · CEFR A2

the effort you put into doing something well so you do not make mistakes.

For teachers: serious attention or effort applied to avoid damage, risk, or error.

- Please handle the glass vase with care so it doesn't break.
- The restorer treated the ancient manuscript with immense care, using specialized tools to prevent the fragile parchment from tearing further.

### 2. looking after someone

noun · CEFR B1

the process of protecting someone or something and providing what they need.

For teachers: the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.

- The puppy was left in the care of a neighbor while the family was away.
- The patient remained under the constant care of a dedicated medical team throughout the recovery period.

### 3. worries

noun · CEFR B2 · Literary

the things that make you feel anxious or troubled.

For teachers: a state of mind filled with anxiety or the causes of such anxiety.

- She looked like a woman without a care in the world as she sat by the sea.
- He walked away from the office, determined to leave his professional cares behind for the duration of the weekend.

### 4. to feel concern

verb · CEFR A2

to feel that something is important or to be worried about it.

For teachers: to feel concern, interest, or importance regarding a particular matter.

- I don't really care about the color of the car as long as it works.
- Many citizens care deeply about the environmental impact of the new highway, despite the promised economic benefits.

Usage: Usually used with the preposition 'about'.

### 5. to look after

verb · CEFR B1

to provide for the needs of someone, like a child or a sick person.

For teachers: to provide physical or emotional support and maintenance for someone or something.

- She spent many years caring for her elderly parents at home.
- The charity was established to care for abandoned animals and find them permanent homes within the local community.

Usage: Always used with the preposition 'for'.

### 6. to want or like

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

a polite way to ask if someone wants something.

For teachers: to have an inclination or desire for something; used in polite offers or negative preferences.

- Would you care for a cup of tea before we start the meeting?
- The senator did not care to comment on the allegations until the full report had been released to the public.

Usage: Followed by 'for' plus a noun, or 'to' plus a verb.

## Examples

- Please handle the glass with care.
- The elderly patient received excellent care from the nurses at the local hospital.
- The restoration of the ancient manuscript required extreme care, as the parchment had become incredibly brittle over the centuries.

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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.