care for

phrasal verb

cared for; caring for; cares for

: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal) : look after (someone or something)

She cares for elderly patients.

Who is caring for your son while you are at work?

: to feel affection for (someone)

I got the feeling he never really cared for me.

somewhat formal : to like or enjoy (something)

—often used in negative statements

I don't care for jelly beans.

I don't care for your tone of voice.

somewhat formal : to want (something)

Would you care for some pie?

Examples of care for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Teachers care for their students and hope for the best for their futures. —

Adam Patric Miller, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024 Seabird rehabilitator Carol Biddulph is now caring for the animal. —

Peter Guo, NBC News, 12 Nov. 2024 And there’s a good slice of non-Californians who don’t care for the state’s progressive politics. —

Jonathan Lansner, Orange County Register, 11 Nov. 2024 While exposure to sunlight, weather, and general wear-and-tear can shorten the lifetime of nylon tents to a few years, quality cotton canvas tents should last one or two decades when cared for properly. —

Wes Siler, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for care for