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
How often will the child be expected to care for him- or herself?
—
Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Even a few hours without power can impact their ability to care for their son, Eric, who is in a wheelchair.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Chapter 51 refers to Wisconsin’s civil commitment law, which allows a court to order mental health treatment when a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others, or unable to care for themselves under state law.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
According to This Is the Zodiac Speaking, Paul was institutionalized at Atascadero State Hospital when David, Connie and Dan were young, leaving the Seawater matriarch to care for the kids on her own.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for care for
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 21 Dec. 2025
Even a few hours without power can impact their ability to care for their son, Eric, who is in a wheelchair.
—Karen Morfitt, CBS News, 20 Dec. 2025
Chapter 51 refers to Wisconsin’s civil commitment law, which allows a court to order mental health treatment when a person is deemed a danger to themselves or others, or unable to care for themselves under state law.
—Adrienne Davis, jsonline.com, 20 Dec. 2025
According to This Is the Zodiac Speaking, Paul was institutionalized at Atascadero State Hospital when David, Connie and Dan were young, leaving the Seawater matriarch to care for the kids on her own.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 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 21 Dec. 2025.
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