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
In 2020, health issues and a death left Harrison's mother unable to care for the kids, Kyla Rose and Emery.
—
Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
The grieving mother blames a lack of medical care for her child’s death – although the medical team which treated her told CNN that there was no link between her death and the funding cuts.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
After taking time away from singing to care for her late mother, who died in 2007, Boyle was inspired to audition for Britain's Got Talent after watching Paul Potts compete and go on to stardom.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The menagerie began with a neighbor’s three dozen goats; he’d been drafted and needed someone to care for them.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for care for
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Victoria Moorwood, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
The grieving mother blames a lack of medical care for her child’s death – although the medical team which treated her told CNN that there was no link between her death and the funding cuts.
—Rebecca Wright, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2025
After taking time away from singing to care for her late mother, who died in 2007, Boyle was inspired to audition for Britain's Got Talent after watching Paul Potts compete and go on to stardom.
—Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025
The menagerie began with a neighbor’s three dozen goats; he’d been drafted and needed someone to care for them.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for care for
Cite this Entry
“Care for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20for. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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