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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
The 34-year-old mother of two from Wilmington, North Carolina, quit working to care for her parents. Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024 Even under restrictive laws, health-care providers are legally permitted — and ethically obligated — to provide care for life-threatening pregnancy complications, including miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies. Kristen Day, National Review, 25 Oct. 2024 Back then, medical treatments and vaccines for infectious diseases were limited, and our family struggled to find full-time care for my younger sister as she was left with the capabilities of a small child. Judy Hunter, Essence, 25 Oct. 2024 After All follows the journey of Ellen (played by Erika Christensen), a woman who returns home to care for her ailing mother and estranged teenage daughter. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for care for 

Dictionary Entries Near care for

Cite this Entry

“Care for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/care%20for. Accessed 7 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on care for

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!