care for

phrasal verb

cared for; caring for; cares for

1

: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal) : look after (someone or something)

She cares for elderly patients.

Who is caring for your son while you are at work?

2

: to feel affection for (someone)

I got the feeling he never really cared for me.

3

somewhat formal : to like or enjoy (something)

—often used in negative statements

I don't care for jelly beans.

I don't care for your tone of voice.

4

somewhat formal : to want (something)

Would you care for some pie?

Examples of care for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Licensed homes can care for more children than child care homes but must meet more regulatory requirements. —Eryn Mathewson, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025

The child is being cared for by a relative. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

As part of that, Gatlin raided donors’ funds meant to care for Jackson’s sickest patients, from children to burn victims. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 12 Dec. 2025

Then the next year, the mom had welcomed her second baby and had to quit her job to care for her sick mom. —Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for care for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore