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

That means doing at least some light research into the latest medical and mental health care for your children, and how new generations approach gender identity, drug and alcohol use, and social media. —Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 5 Dec. 2025

The Early Learning Center on South 39th Street has cared for the children of Alverno students for the past 56 years. —Gina Lee Castro, jsonline.com, 5 Dec. 2025

Loyola supports the integrity of the student governance process, including the ability to appeal, and remains committed to fostering a campus environment grounded in respectful dialogue, inclusion, and the Jesuit value of care for the whole person. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 4 Dec. 2025

Compassionate telling of a refugee family from Vietnam finding their way in Connecticut, particularly the young narrator, who after attempting suicide ends up caring for a Lithuanian woman with dementia. —Brianne Kane, Scientific American, 4 Dec. 2025

Rhymes for care for

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