I. care 1 S1 W1 /keə $ ker/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ care , ↑ carer ; adjective : ↑ careful ≠ ↑ careless , ↑ caring ≠ UNCARING ; verb : ↑ care ; adverb : ↑ carefully ≠ ↑ carelessly ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: caru ]
1 . LOOKING AFTER SOMEBODY [uncountable] the process of looking after someone, especially because they are ill, old, or very young:
high standards of medical care
They shared the care of the children.
Care facilities for the elderly are inadequate.
in sb’s care (=being looked after by someone)
The children had been left in the care of a babysitter.
be under sb’s care (=be officially looked after or treated by someone)
Mentally ill patients will be under the care of a psychiatrist.
⇨ ↑ day care , ↑ health care , ↑ intensive care , ⇨ tender loving care at ↑ tender 1 (5)
2 . take care of somebody/something
a) to look after someone or something:
Who’s taking care of the dog while you’re away?
take care of yourself
The children are old enough to take care of themselves.
b) to deal with all the necessary work, arrangements etc:
Her secretary always took care of the details.
Don’t worry about your accommodation – it’s all taken care of.
c) to pay for something – used when you want to avoid saying this directly:
We’ll take care of the fees.
3 . take care
a) spoken used when saying goodbye to family and friends:
Take care! See you next week!
b) to be careful:
Take care when driving in icy conditions.
take care to do something
Take care to ensure that the ladder is steady before you climb it.
take care (that)
Take care that the meat is cooked properly.
4 . KEEPING SOMETHING IN GOOD CONDITION [uncountable] the process of doing things to keep something in good condition and working correctly:
With proper care, the washing machine should last for years.
advice on skin care
5 . CAREFULNESS [uncountable] when you are careful to avoid damage, mistakes etc:
The note on the box said ‘Fragile – handle with care’.
The picture had been drawn with great care.
6 . take care over/with something to spend a lot of time and effort making sure that something is perfect:
Paul always takes great care over his appearance.
7 . in care British English a child who is in care is being looked after by the government, not by their parents:
When he was sent to prison, the children were taken into care.
8 . PROBLEM/WORRY [uncountable and countable] literary something that causes problems and makes you anxious or sad:
At last I felt free from my cares.
Alex looked as though he didn’t have a care in the world (=had no problems or worries) .
a man with the cares of the world on his shoulders (=with a lot of problems or worries)
9 . care of somebody British English , in care of somebody American English used when sending letters to someone at someone else’s address SYN c/o :
Send me the letter care of my uncle.
10 . have a care! British English spoken old-fashioned used to tell someone to be more careful
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COLLOCATIONS
■ types of care
▪ medical care
People expect good standards of medical care.
▪ health care
The government has put a lot more money into health care.
▪ hospital care
£50.6m is to be spent on hospital care.
▪ community care (=in the area where you live rather than in hospitals)
Most mentally ill people are now treated through community care.
▪ home care (=in people’s own homes)
You can find home care through family service agencies.
▪ patient care (=care of someone who is ill)
The changes should lead to better patient care.
▪ inpatient/outpatient care (=for people in hospital/not in hospital)
Outpatient care is generally less expensive than a stay in hospital.
▪ nursing care
The important thing is the quality of the nursing care.
▪ residential care (=for ill or old people in a place where they stay)
They used the money to pay for residential care.
▪ intensive care (=for people who are very seriously ill)
He needed intensive care for several weeks.
▪ after-school care
Children with both parents working long hours need after-school care.
▪ constant/round-the-clock care (=all day and all night)
He needs round-the-clock care.
▪ short-term/long-term care
The home provides short-term care for elderly people.
■ verbs
▪ provide care
The charity provides care and shelter for homeless people.
▪ need/require care
She had an aging mother who required constant care.
▪ receive care
Every citizen has the right to receive health care.
■ care + NOUN
▪ a care worker British English (=someone whose job is looking after people)
She's a part-time care worker with mentally ill adults.
▪ care services/facilities
How much money is spent on health care services?
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THESAURUS (for Meaning 5)
■ carefulness
▪ care if you do something with care, you are careful to avoid damage, mistakes etc:
She put the needle in with great care.
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Everyone should take care in the sun.
▪ caution care to avoid danger or risks, or care about trusting information that might not be true:
Her evidence should be treated with caution.
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There was a certain lack of caution among investors.
▪ prudence a sensible and careful attitude that makes you avoid unnecessary risks - a rather formal use:
Banks should show more prudence in lending money.
▪ vigilance careful attention to what is happening, so that you will notice any danger or illegal activity:
Governments from across the world have called for greater vigilance against Internet-based crime.
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There is a need for constant vigilance to protect vulnerable people.
▪ regard for something careful attention and consideration shown to something, to avoid danger or risks - used especially when someone fails to do this:
The court heard that the company had shown no regard for the safety of its employees.
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These men are cold-blooded killers and have little regard for human life.
▪ tact care not to say anything that might offend or upset someone:
He handled the matter with a great deal of tact.
▪ discretion care to deal with situations in a way that does not embarrass, upset or offend people, especially by not telling any of their secrets:
Any confidential information was treated with discretion.
II. care 2 S1 W2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ care , ↑ carer ; adjective : ↑ careful ≠ ↑ careless , ↑ caring ≠ UNCARING ; verb : ↑ care ; adverb : ↑ carefully ≠ ↑ carelessly ]
1 . to think that something is important, so that you are interested in it, worried about it etc
care about
The only thing he seems to care about is money.
care what/how/whether etc
She didn’t care what her father thought.
‘He looked angry.’ ‘I don’t care!’
2 . to be concerned about what happens to someone, because you like or love them ⇨ caring
care about
I care about him and hate to see him hurt like this.
She felt that nobody cared.
3 . who cares? spoken used to say that something does not worry or upset you because it is not important:
It’s rather old and scruffy, but who cares?
4 . see if I care! spoken used when you are angry or upset, to say that you do not care about what someone will do:
Go with William, then – see if I care!
5 . somebody couldn’t care less spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
I really couldn’t care less what you think!
6 . what does somebody care? spoken used to say that someone does not care at all about something:
What do I care? It’s your responsibility now!
7 . as if I cared! spoken used to say that something is not important to you at all:
As if I cared whether he comes with us or not!
8 . for all somebody cares spoken used when you are angry that someone does not seem concerned about someone or something:
We could be starving for all they care!
9 . not care to do something old-fashioned to not like doing something:
She doesn’t care to spend much time with her relatives.
I wouldn’t care to meet him in a dark alley!
I’ve experienced more reorganizations than I care to remember (=a lot of them) .
10 . any ... you care to name/mention any thing of a particular kind:
Virtually any piece of equipment you care to name can be hired these days.
11 . would you care to do something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely whether they want to do something:
Would you care to join us for dinner?
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ take care of somebody ( also look after somebody especially British English ) to make sure a child or an old or sick person is safe and has the things they need:
I have to look after my little brother.
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Taking care of a baby is hard work.
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She is taking care of her grandmother while her grandfather is in hospital.
▪ care for somebody to take care of someone. Care for somebody is less common and more formal than take care of/look after somebody :
He was cared for by a team of nurses.
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Caring for an elderly relative can be very rewarding.
▪ nurse to look after someone who is ill:
He nursed his wife through a long illness.
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The monks nursed him back to health (=looked after him until he was well again) .
▪ babysit to look after children in the evening while their parents go out somewhere:
I’ll ask Jane to babysit on Wednesday night.
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He used to babysit for Mary when she worked nights.
▪ mind British English to look after a child while their parents are not there, especially for a short time:
Will you mind the baby while I go to the shop?
care for somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to look after someone who is not able to look after themselves SYN take care of :
He thanked the nurses who had cared for him.
The children are well cared for.
2 . to do things that keep something in good condition:
Instructions on caring for your new sofa are included.
3 . would you care for something? spoken formal used to ask someone politely if they would like something:
Would you care for another drink?
4 . not care for somebody/something formal to not like someone or something:
I don’t much care for his parents.