Meaning of care In English

• 0 the process of protecting someone or something and providing what that person or thing needs:

  • The standard of care at our local hospital is excellent.

  • Mira's going to be very weak for a long time after the operation, so she'll need a lot of care.

  • Nurseries are responsible for the children in their care.

  • skincare/healthcare/childcare

  • Take good care of that girl of yours, Patrick - she's very special.

  • Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself (= I do not need anyone else to protect me).

  • Both children were taken into care when their parents died.

• 1 serious attention, especially to the details of a situation or thing:

  • She painted the window frames with great care so that no paint got onto the glass.

  • You need to take a bit more care with your spelling.

  • The roads are icy, so drive with care.

  • Take care on these busy roads (= drive with attention so that you do not have an accident).

  • [ + to infinitive ] Take care not to (= make certain that you do not) spill your coffee.

  • [ + that ] Take care (= make certain) that you don't fall.

  • The parcel had a label on it saying "Handle with care".

• 2 to deal with something:

  • If you can see to the drinks for the party, I'll take care of the food.

  • All the travel arrangements have been taken care of.

  • No, you paid for dinner last time, let me take care of (= pay for) it.

• 3 a feeling of worry or anxiety:

  • She seemed weighed down by all her cares.

• 4 to think that something is important and to feel interested in it or upset about it:

  • She's never cared very much about her appearance.

  • [ + question word ] I really don't care whether we go out or not.

  • I don't care how much it costs, just buy it.

  • "Was Lorna happy about the arrangements?" "I don't know and I don't care."

  • Your parents are only doing this because they care about (= love) you.

  • "Mike's really fed up about it." "I couldn't care less."

  • You can go to the match with Paula, for all I care.

  • He said he didn't approve of what I'd done, as if I cared.

  • "It looks as if we are going to lose." "Who cares?".

• 5 used in polite offers and suggestions:

  • Would you care for a drink?

  • [ + to infinitive ] Would you care to join us for dinner?

• 6 the process of providing for the needs of someone or something:

  • The quality of care at this hospital is very good.

  • Trees on city property don’t get any care.

• 7 serious attention, esp. to the details of a situation or a piece of work:

  • She painted the window frames with great care.

• 8 to be interested in something, or to be anxious or upset about something:

  • [ I ] Don’t you care about what happens to the children?

  • [ I ] I really don’t care if we go or not (= It doesn’t matter to me).

  • [ + question word ] I don’t care how much it costs, just buy it.

• 9 (used in polite offers and suggestions) to want something:

  • [ + to infinitive ] Would you care to join us for dinner?

• 10 attention that is given to something or someone, so that they are looked after, protected, or dealt with in the right way:

  • There will be some mistakes no matter how much care goes into the first draft.

  • take care over sth People are taking more care over where they invest their money.

  • take care to do sth Take care to prepare for your interview by listing all the personal qualities and experience you have which suit you for the job.

• 11 used in addresses when the person you are writing to is staying or working somewhere that is not the place where they usually live or work:

  • You can send packages to me care of my hotel.

  • Address your letters to Write On, c/o BBC, Broadcasting House, London.

• 12 to look after or protect something or someone:

  • Take care of your home: it's your largest asset.

  • People are doing this job to put food on the table and take care of their children.

  • He suggested she could help run the firm and take care of the finances.

  • I'll take care of all the travel arrangements.