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, car·ing.

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 by for ):

   Will you care for the children while I am away?

4. to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually followed by for ):

   Would you care for dessert?

   I don't care for him very much.

verb (used with object)

, cared, car·ing.

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. 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. intrfoll byfor to have a desire or taste (for)

   would you care for some tea?

4. intrfoll byfor 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. for all I care or I couldn't care less
   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. care of
   at the address of: written on envelopes Usual abbreviationc/o
7. in care or into care
   social welfare made the legal responsibility of a local authority by order of a court

CARE

²

/ kɛə /

acronym for

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 Note

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 Words From

• car·er noun
• non·car·ing adjective
• o·ver·care noun
• un·car·ing 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. 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.

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. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing care

In addition to the idiom beginning with care , also see 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.

Related Words

• attend
• nurse
• nurture
• protect
• tend
• watch