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

After evacuating moviegoers, theater co-workers Jasmine Frappier, Kiley Nettleton, and Olivia Perritt, all 17, helped care for the church members, giving them food and water. —Georgea Kovanis, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025

Plus, more uninsured people mean more uncompensated care for hospitals, which presents its own problems for state budgets. —Selena Simmons-Duffin, NPR, 4 Oct. 2025

Bring the beauty and aroma of chocolate cosmos to your own garden by learning how to grow and care for these unique bloomers. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2025

So when more children fall ill amid rising rates of outbreaks, fewer doctors will be available to care for them. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025

Rhymes for care for

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