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."
inseparable
care for
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To tend to someone's physical or emotional needs, or to feel affection for someone, or (in negative/question form) to like something.
In plain English
To look after someone who needs help, or to love or like someone or something.
What does "care for" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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
inseparable
3 B2 formal
(Usually negative or interrogative) To like or enjoy something.
"Would you care for another cup of tea?"
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."
inseparable
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "care for"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
patients elderly children family drink wine
How to conjugate "care for"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "care for" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "care for" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.