noun, verb, cared, car⋅ing.| 1. | a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern: He was never free from care. |
| 2. | a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.: Their son has always been a great care to them. |
| 3. | serious attention; solicitude; heed; caution: She devotes great care to her work. |
| 4. | protection; charge: He is under the care of a doctor. |
| 5. | temporary keeping, as for the benefit of or until claimed by the owner: He left his valuables in the care of friends. Address my mail in care of the American Embassy. |
| 6. | grief; suffering; sorrow. |
| 7. | to be concerned or solicitous; have thought or regard. |
| 8. | to be concerned or have a special preference (usually used in negative constructions): I don't care if I do. |
| 9. | to make provision or look out (usually fol. by for): Will you care for the children while I am away? |
| 10. | to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually fol. by for): Would you care for dessert? I don't care for him very much. |
| 11. | to feel concern about: He doesn't care what others say. |
| 12. | to wish; desire; like: Would you care to dance? |
| 13. | couldn't care less, could not care less; be completely unconcerned: I couldn't care less whether she goes to the party or not. Also, could care less. |
| 14. | take care,
|
| 15. | take care of,
|

care (kâr) n.
v. intr.
[Middle English, from Old English cearu.] Synonyms: These nouns refer to the function of watching, guarding, or overseeing: left the house keys in my care; has charge of all rare books in the library; had custody of his children; left the canary in the neighbors' keeping; assumed supervision of the students; documents committed to the bank's trust. See Also Synonyms at anxiety. |