# care

Pronunciation: say "KAIR" US /kɛɚ/, UK /kɛə/

## Verb

1. To feel concern or interest in someone or something, or to mind or be bothered by something.
   - Simple: To feel that someone or something matters, or to be bothered by something.
   - _Voters care deeply about who represents them in government._
   - _Many people simply don't care about politics anymore._
3. To look after or watch over someone or something, especially one needing help.
   - Simple: To look after a person, animal or thing that needs help or attention.
   - _Volunteers care for abandoned animals at the shelter._
   - _He cared for his garden as if each plant were a child._
7. To want, desire, or feel inclined toward something.
   - Simple: To want something, or to feel like doing it.
   - _Would you care to join us for dinner?_
   - _She did not care to explain her reasons._
11. To like, take pleasure in, or think well of something, or to feel affection for someone; used with for, often in the negative.
   - Simple: To like something or think it is good, or to be fond of a person, often used with not.
   - _Most critics did not care for the sequel, calling it slow and predictable._
   - _Her parents never really cared for her new boyfriend._

## Noun

2. The treatment and support of people in need, especially as a profession.
   - Simple: Help and support given to people who are sick, old, or in need.
   - _Quality care depends on well-trained and compassionate staff._
   - _Many families rely on professional care for their relatives._
4. Close attention, concern, or responsibility given to something or someone.
   - Simple: Close attention and effort you give to something important.
   - _The surgeon worked with meticulous care throughout the operation._
   - _Raising a family requires patience and constant care._
5. The maintenance and upkeep needed to keep something in good condition.
   - Simple: The work of keeping something in good condition.
   - _Proper care will extend the life of leather shoes._
   - _The lawn requires year-round care to stay green._
6. The condition of being looked after or protected by others.
   - Simple: The condition of being looked after by other people.
   - _The orphaned children were placed in the care of distant relatives._
   - _He felt safe knowing his savings were in the bank's care._
8. A feeling of worry, trouble, or anxiety.
   - Simple: A feeling of worry or trouble in your mind.
   - _Free from financial worries, he hadn't a care in the world._
   - _The cares of running a business kept her awake at night._
9. A person or thing that is the focus of one's watchful attention or anxiety.
   - Simple: Someone or something that you watch over or worry about closely.
   - _The children were her constant care during the long voyage._
   - _The aging vineyard remained the old man's chief care._

## Noun

10. A feeling of deep grief or sorrow. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: A deep feeling of sadness or grief.

## Origin

**Meanings 2, 4–6, 8–10** — From Middle English "care", from Old English "caru" ("care, concern, anxiety, sorrow, grief"), from Proto-Germanic "*karō" ("care, sorrow, cry"), and ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "shout, call". It is related to Gothic "kara" ("care") and German "karg" ("meagre").
**Meanings 1, 3, 7, 11** — Proto-Germanic *karōną ("to care") gave Old English carian, which meant "to be anxious," "be troubled," "grieve, sorrow," and "to care for." This became Middle English caren. Gothic karōn ("to be concerned") and Icelandic kæra ("to care, like") are related.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/care (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).