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

Teachers care for their students and hope for the best for their futures. —Adam Patric Miller, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

Seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph is now caring for the animal. —Peter Guo, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024

And there’s a good slice of non-Californians who don’t care for the state’s progressive politics. —Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024

While exposure to sunlight, weather, and general wear-and-tear can shorten the lifetime of nylon tents to a few years, quality cotton canvas tents should last one or two decades when cared for properly. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024