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
An insufficient supply of care for children — and care that is too expensive — limits parents’ participation in green or any work — keeping that work from getting done.
—
Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Vega is now being cared for by Kayla Winrow, a foster carer based in Oklahoma City, after the dog was returned by her new owners just 11 days after the adoption.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Navarro does not care for talk about the stock market.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
When Colleen volunteers to care for her elderly neighbor
Elsie, the two quickly bond.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 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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Grace Rauh, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025
Vega is now being cared for by Kayla Winrow, a foster carer based in Oklahoma City, after the dog was returned by her new owners just 11 days after the adoption.
—Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Navarro does not care for talk about the stock market.
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2025
When Colleen volunteers to care for her elderly neighbor
Elsie, the two quickly bond.
—Katcy Stephan, Variety, 16 Apr. 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 Apr. 2025.
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