care

 
Pronunciation: /kɛː/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something: the care of the elderly the child is in the care of her grandparents health care
  • British protective custody or guardianship provided by a local authority for children whose parents are dead or unable to look after them properly: she was taken into care children in care
  • 2serious attention or consideration applied to doing something correctly or to avoid damage or risk: he planned his departure with great care
  • [count noun] an object of concern or attention: the cares of family life
  • [count noun] a feeling of or occasion for anxiety: she was driving along without a care in the world

verb

[no object]
  • 1 [often with negative] feel concern or interest; attach importance to something: they don’t care about human life [with clause]: I don’t care what she says
  • feel affection or liking: you care very deeply for him
  • (care for/to do something) like or be willing to do or have something: would you care for some tea?
  • 2 (care for) look after and provide for the needs of: he has numerous animals to care for

Phrases

care in the community

another term for community care.

care of

at the address of: write to me care of Ann

I (or he, she, etc.) couldn't (North American informal also could) care less

informal used to express complete indifference: he couldn’t care less about football

for all you care (or he, she, etc. cares)

informal used to indicate that someone feels no interest or concern: I could drown for all you care

have a care

[often in imperative] dated be cautious: ‘Have a care!’ she warned

take care

  • 1 [often in imperative] be cautious; keep oneself safe: take care if you’re planning to go out tonight
  • said to someone on leaving them: take care, see you soon
  • 2 [with infinitive] make sure of doing something: he would take care to provide himself with an escape clause

take care of

  • 1keep (someone or something) safe and provided for: I can take care of myself
  • 2deal with: he has the equipment to take care of my problem

Origin:

Old English caru (noun), carian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Old High German chara 'grief, lament', charon 'grieve', and Old Norse kǫr 'sickbed'