Care, / keə ~ ker / verb [intransitive and transitive]

1. to think that something is important, so that you are interested in it, worried about it, etc. 
care about 
 - The only thing he seems to care about is money. 
care what/how/whether, etc. 
 - She didn’t care what her father thought. 
 - ‘He looked angry.’ ‘ I don’t care !’ 
2. to be concerned about what happens to someone, because you like or love them → caring 
care about 
 - I care about him and hate to see him hurt like this. 
 - She felt that nobody cared. 
3. who cares? spoken used to say that something does not worry or upset you because it is not 
important: 
 - It’s rather old and scruffy, but who cares? 
4. see if I care! spoken used when you are angry or upset, to say that you do not care about what 
someone will do: 
 - Go with William, then – see if I care! 
5. somebody couldn’t care less spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about 
something: 
 - I really couldn’t care less what you think! 
6. what does somebody care? spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about 
something: 
 - What do I care? It’s your responsibility now! 
7. as if I cared! spoken used to say that something is not important to you at all: 
 - As if I cared whether he comes with us or not! 
8. for all somebody cares spoken used when you are angry that someone does not seem concerned 
about someone or something: 
 - We could be starving for all they care! 
9. not care to do something old-fashioned to not like doing something: 
 - She doesn’t care to spend much time with her relatives. 
 - I wouldn’t care to meet him in a dark alley! 
 - I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (= a lot of them). 
10. any ... you care to name/mention any thing of a particular kind: 
 - Virtually any piece of equipment you care to name can be hired these days. 
11. would you care to do something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely whether they 
want to do something: 
 - Would you care to join us for dinner? 
 THESAURUS 
take care of somebody (also look after somebody especially British English) to make sure a child 
or an old or sick person is safe and has the things they need: I have to look after my little brother. 
 - Taking care of a baby is hard work. 
 - She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital. 
care for somebody to take care of someone. Care for somebody is less common and more formal 
than take care of/look after somebody: 
 - He was cared for by a team of nurses. 
 - Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding. 
nurse to look after someone who is ill: 
 - He nursed his wife through a long illness. 
 - The monks nursed him back to health (= looked after him until he was well again). 
babysit to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere: - I’ll ask 
Jane to babysit on Wednesday night. 
 - He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights. 
mind British English to look after a child while their parents are not there, especially for a short 
time: 
 - Will you mind the baby while I go to the shop? 
care for somebody/something phrasal verb 
1. to look after someone who is not able to look after themselves = take care of: 
 - He thanked the nurses who had cared for him. 
 - The children are well cared for. 
2. to do things that keep something in good condition: 
 - Instructions on caring for your new sofa are included. 
3. would you care for something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely if they would like 
something: 
 - Would you care for another drink? 
4. not care for somebody/something formal to not like someone or something: 
 - I don’t much care for his parents. 
~~(*)__ 
caring /ˈkeərɪŋ $ ˈker-/ adjective 
1. thinking about what other people need or want and trying to help them → care: 
a warm and caring man 
a caring attitude 
The school aims to provide a caring environment. 
2. [only before noun] involving the job of looking after other people: 
Many of the caring professions are badly paid. 
More men are taking on a caring role. 
CARE / keə ~ ker / noun 
1. [uncountable] the process of looking after someone, especially because they are ill, old, or very 
young: 
 - high standards of medical care 
 - They shared the care of the children. 
 - Care facilities for the elderly are inadequate. 
in sb’s care (= being looked after by someone ) 
 - The children had been left in the care of a babysitter. 
be under sb’s care (= be officially looked after or treated by someone ) 
 - Mentally ill patients will be under the care of a psychiatrist. 
2. take care of somebody/something 
a) to look after someone or something: 
 - Who’s taking care of the dog while you’re away? 
take care of yourself 
 - The children are old enough to take care of themselves. 
b) to deal with all the necessary work, arrangements etc: 
 - Her secretary always took care of the details. 
 - Don’t worry about your accommodation – it’s all taken care of. 
c) to pay for something – used when you want to avoid saying this directly: 
 - We’ll take care of the fees. 
3. take care 
a) spoken used when saying goodbye to family and friends: 
Take care! See you next week! 
b) to be careful: 
 - Take care when driving in icy conditions. 
take care to do something 
 - Take care to ensure that the ladder is steady before you climb it. 
take care (that) 
 - Take care that the meat is cooked properly. 
4. [uncountable] the process of doing things to keep something in good condition and working 
correctly: 
 - With proper care, the washing machine should last for years. 
advice on skin care 
5. [uncountable] when you are careful to avoid damage, mistakes etc: 
 - The note on the box said ‘Fragile – handle with care ’. 
 - The picture had been drawn with great care . 
6. take care over/with something to spend a lot of time and effort making sure that something is 
perfect: 
 - Paul always takes great care over his appearance. 
7. in care British English a child who is in care is being looked after by the government, not by 
their parents: 
When he was sent to prison, the children were taken into care . 
8. [uncountable and countable] literary something that causes problems and makes you anxious or 
sad: 
 - At last I felt free from my cares. 
 - Alex looked as though he didn’t have a care in the world (= had no problems or worries ) . 
 - a man with the cares of the world on his shoulders (= with a lot of problems or worries ) 
9. care of somebody British English , in care of somebody American English used when sending 
letters to someone at someone else’s address  c/o: 
 - Send me the letter care of my uncle. 
10. have a care! British English spoken old-fashioned used to tell someone to be more careful 
COLLOCATIONS 
TYPES OF CARE 
medical care People expect good standards of medical care. 
health care The government has put a lot more money into health care. 
hospital care £50.6m is to be spent on hospital care. 
community care (= in the area where you live rather than in hospitals ) Most mentally ill people 
are now treated through community care. 
home care (= in people’s own homes ) You can find home care through family service agencies. 
patient care (= care of someone who is ill ) The changes should lead to better patient care. 
inpatient/outpatient care (= for people in hospital/not in hospital ) Outpatient care is generally 
less expensive than a stay in hospital. 
nursing care The important thing is the quality of the nursing care. 
residential care (= for ill or old people in a place where they stay ) They used the money to pay for 
residential care. 
intensive care (= for people who are very seriously ill ) He needed intensive care for several 
weeks. 
after-school care Children with both parents working long hours need after-school care. 
constant/round-the-clock care (= all day and all night ) He needs round-the-clock care. 
short-term/long-term care The home provides short-term care for elderly people. 
VERBS 
provide care The charity provides care and shelter for homeless people. 
need/require care She had an aging mother who required constant care. 
receive care Every citizen has the right to receive health care. 
CARE + NOUN 
a care worker British English (= someone whose job is looking after people ) She's a part-time 
care worker with mentally ill adults. 
care services/facilities How much money is spent on health care services? 
THESAURUS 
Meaning 5 
CAREFULNESS 
care if you do something with care, you are careful to avoid damage, mistakes etc: She put the 
needle in with great care . | Everyone should take care in the sun. 
caution care to avoid danger or risks, or care about trusting information that might not be true: Her 
evidence should be treated with caution . | There was a certain lack of caution among investors. 
prudence a sensible and careful attitude that makes you avoid unnecessary risks - a rather formal 
use: Banks should show more prudence in lending money. 
vigilance careful attention to what is happening, so that you will notice any danger or illegal 
activity: Governments from across the world have called for greater vigilance against Internet-
based crime. | There is a need for constant vigilance to protect vulnerable people. 
regard for something careful attention and consideration shown to something, to avoid danger or 
risks - used especially when someone fails to do this: The court heard that the company had shown 
no regard for the safety of its employees. | These men are cold-blooded killers and have little 
regard for human life. 
tact care not to say anything that might offend or upset someone: He handled the matter with a 
great deal of tact. 
discretion care to deal with situations in a way that does not embarrass, upset or offend people, 
especially by not telling any of their secrets: Any confidential information was treated wit