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care for

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To look after someone who needs help, or to love or like someone or something.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To look after or attend to the needs of a person who is ill, elderly, or vulnerable.

"She left her job to care for her elderly mother at home."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To feel love or deep affection for someone.

"He truly cared for her, even when she pushed him away."

"I care for you so deeply."

— Widely used in literature and song; representative phrasing; individual attribution not possible
Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 formal

(Usually negative or interrogative) To like or enjoy something.

"Would you care for another cup of tea?"

Grammar: inseparable
4 B2 neutral

To be interested in or feel concern about something.

"She didn't care for politics at all until the new election cycle began."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The 'liking' sense typically occurs in negative sentences and questions (e.g., 'I don't care for spicy food'; 'Would you care for a drink?'). In the 'tending to' sense, the object is usually a person in need. The affection sense is somewhat formal.

Commonly used with

patients elderly children family drink wine

Forms

Base
care for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
cares for
he/she/it
Past simple
cared for
yesterday
Past participle
cared for
have + pp
-ing form
caring for
continuous

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