Phrase guide

care for

verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To attend to the needs of, especially in the manner of a nurse or personal aide.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I cared for my ailing mother for five years.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: besee, look after, take care of

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To like or appreciate; to consider to be appealing, tasteful, or suitable.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: think much of

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

provide treatment for

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The doctor treated my broken leg
  • The nurses cared for the bomb victims
  • The patient must be treated right away or she will die
  • Treat the infection with antibiotics

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: treat

Antonyms: none provided

Narrower terms: hyperventilate, massage, purge, correct, insufflate, detox, detoxify, irrigate, iodize, iodise, doctor, vet, nurse, manipulate, administer, dispense, remedy, relieve, dress, splint, operate on, operate, medicate, medicine, bleed, leech, phlebotomize, phlebotomise, cup, transfuse, shock, pack, cauterize, cauterise, burn, analyze, analyse, psychoanalyze, psychoanalyse

4

verb

Meaning 4

be fond of; be attached to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: cherish, hold dear, treasure

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: love

Narrower terms: yearn

5

verb

Meaning 5

have a liking, fondness, or taste (for)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: like

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: zorgi — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • French: soigner — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Greek: φροντίζω (frontízo) — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Greek: νοιάζομαι (noiázomai) — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Polish: troszczyć się o — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Polish: opiekować się — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Polish: pielęgnować — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Turkish: bakmak — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Turkish: göz kulak olmak — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Ottoman Turkish: تیمار ایتمك (timar etmek) — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Ottoman Turkish: تیمارلمق (timarlamak) — to look after — see also look after, take care of
  • Uyghur: ئاسرىماق (asrimaq) — to look after — see also look after, take care of