care

care1 [ ker ] verb intransitive or transitive ***

never progressive to be interested in someone and want them to be well and happy:

I wish I had someone who cared.

Only Ed cared enough to come and talk to her.

care about: I don't think she cares about him at all.

a. to be interested in something and feel strongly that it is important:

care about: No one seemed to care about her feelings.

care what/why etc.: Of course I care what happens to the school!

not care either way/one way or the other (=not worry about what is decided): Our mother said she didn't care either way, as long as we were all happy.

genuinely care: He wasn't lying he genuinely didn't care whether he passed the test or not.

care deeply/passionately: They cared passionately about the environment.

neither know nor care: He neither knew nor cared what she meant by that remark.

any person/thing you care to name/mention

anyone or anything at all, used especially in comparisons:

It was definitely hotter than any place in the tropics you'd care to mention.

be past caring BRITISH SPOKEN

to be no longer interested in someone or something, because they have made you feel annoyed or tired of them:

Don't you want to know what she said? No, I'm past caring.

someone couldn't care less or as if someone cares or what does someone care? SPOKEN

used for emphasizing that someone thinks something is unimportant. These phrases usually show that the speaker is angry or upset:

I couldn't care less how you do it just do it.

As if she cares whether he's happy or not!

What does the bus company care if you have to wait for three hours?

for all someone cares SPOKEN

used for saying that someone would not be worried or affected by a particular situation or action:

For all he cares, I could be lying dead somewhere.

Ask my parents yourself, for all I care it won't make any difference.

more/longer etc. than someone cares to remember/admit/mention

used for saying that something has been happening for a long time or very much:

I've been doing this job for more years than I care to remember.

He had hurt her more than she cared to admit.

not care to do something FORMAL

to not want to do something:

The President said he did not care to comment.

perhaps someone would care to do something/would someone care to do something? SPOKEN

used for asking someone to do something, in a way that shows that you are angry or upset:

Perhaps one of you would care to explain this to me?

Would someone care to tell us just what is going on here?

see if I care SPOKEN

used when talking to someone who has made you angry or upset, for saying that their actions do not worry or interest you:

Oh, just go see if I care!

who cares? SPOKEN

used for saying that you do not think something is important and that you are not worried about it:

I don't know. Who cares?

I mean, really, who cares whether he lied or not?

would you care for something SPOKEN FORMAL

used for asking politely whether someone would like something:

Would you care for some coffee?

would you care to do something SPOKEN FORMAL

used for asking politely whether someone would like to do something:

Would you care to sit down?

`care for phrasal verb transitive

1. ) care for someone to love someone, especially in a way that is based on friendship rather than sex:

He really cared for her.

She made him feel special and cared for.

2. ) care for someone to do the necessary things for someone who needs help or protection: LOOK AFTER:

The inspectors make sure that the elderly residents are well cared for.

Teach your children how to care for their pets.

a ) care for something to treat something carefully so that it stays in good condition: LOOK AFTER:

Your clothes won't last as long if you don't care for them properly.

3. ) often in negatives or questions care for something/someone FORMAL to like or want something or someone:

I don't much care for chocolate.

care

care 2 [ ker ] noun ***

1. ) uncount effort and attention:

I can see that a lot of care has gone into your work.

with care: The label on the box said Handle with care.

great/special/extra care: He was choosing his words with great care.

reasonable/due care LEGAL: The employer had failed to exercise reasonable care.

exercise care FORMAL: The police must exercise more care in the arrest of young offenders.

2. ) uncount the activity, skill, or profession of looking after someone who needs help or protection:

Some of the injured were in need of hospital care.

The unit provides specialist medical care for premature babies.

The elderly residents receive an excellent standard of care and treatment.

I left him in your care you should have watched him!

care of: a technique used in the care of mental patients

a ) in the U.K., the system in which local government takes care of children whose parents are either dead or not able to take care of them themselves:

in care: She spent her first 12 years in care.

take someone into care: Her two children were taken into care.

3. ) uncount the use of skill and effort to keep something in good condition:

advice on the proper care of your new car

a good skin-care routine

4. ) count or uncount MAINLY LITERARY a worry about someone or something

care of

used when saying where you can send someone's letters while they are not at home. You write the abbreviation c/o on the envelope, before the address:

Send it to Pedro care of me, if you like.

not have a care in the world

to not be worried about anything

take care

1. ) to be careful:

Take care on those steps!

take care (that): Take care that you don't fall.

take care (not) to do something: Please take care not to step on the cables.

She took extra care to lock all the doors this time.

take care with: You need to take more care with your writing.

2. ) SPOKEN used for saying goodbye to someone in a friendly way:

Bye now! Take care!

take care of

1. ) to do the necessary things for someone who needs help or protection:

Who will take care of the children?

2. ) to treat something carefully so that it stays in good condition:

All the neighbors take very good care of their yards.

3. ) to do what is necessary to deal with a person or situation:

I'll leave you to take care of the refreshments.

Can you take care of this customer, please?

4. ) INFORMAL to pay for something: used especially when you are offering to pay for someone else:

She picked up the check, saying, Let me take care of that.