care for

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

The same is true for the surprisingly large numbers of people who make and care for art while schools close and the market contracts, people whose commitments don’t align with the elite version of art, much less the pseudo-populism of America250. —Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026

The boy had been sick for a few days, forcing Cuetia to stay home to care for him and lose valuable income. —Laura Rodríguez Presa, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2026

Since then, new Ebola vaccines and treatments have made caring for patients easier. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 2 June 2026

The service An international team cares for the international clientele. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Rhymes for care for

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