care

[ kair ]

/ kɛər /

noun

a state of mind in which one is troubled; worry, anxiety, or concern: He was never free from care.

a cause or object of worry, anxiety, concern, etc.: Their son has always been a great care to them.

serious attention; solicitude; heed; caution: She devotes great care to her work.

the provision of what is needed for the well-being or protection of a person or thing: He is under the care of a doctor. With proper care, the watch will last a lifetime.

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.

grief; suffering; sorrow.

verb (used without object), cared, car·ing.

to be concerned or solicitous; have thought or regard.

to be concerned or have a special preference (usually used in negative constructions): I don't care if I do.

to make provision or look out (usually followed by for): Will you care for the children while I am away?

to have an inclination, liking, fondness, or affection (usually followed by for): Would you care for dessert? I don't care for him very much.

verb (used with object), cared, car·ing.

to feel concern about: He doesn't care what others say.

to wish; desire; like: Would you care to dance?

Idioms for care

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.

take care,

be alert; be careful: Take care that you don't fall on the ice!
take care of yourself; goodbye: used as an expression of parting.

take care of,

to watch over; be responsible for: to take care of an invalid.
to act on; deal with; attend to: to take care of paying a bill.

Origin of care

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English caru, cearu, cognate with Gothic kara, Old High German chara “lament”

synonym study for care

1. See concern. 3. To take care, pains, trouble (to do something) implies watchful, conscientious effort to do something exactly right. To take care implies the performance of one particular detail: She took care to close the cover before striking the match. To take pains suggests a sustained carefulness, an effort to see that nothing is overlooked but that every small detail receives attention: to take pains with fine embroidery. To take trouble implies an effort that requires a considerable amount of activity and exertion: to take the trouble to make suitable arrangements.

usage note for care

13. Couldn't care less, a phrase used to express indifference, is sometimes heard as could care less, which ought to mean the opposite but is intended to be synonymous with the former phrase. Both versions are common mainly in informal speech.

OTHER WORDS FROM care

car·er, noun non·car·ing, adjective o·ver·care, noun un·car·ing, adjective

Words nearby care

carduaceous, carducci, cardueline, cardus, cardy, care, care and maintenance, care attendant, care label, care package, care plan

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (1 of 2)

care

/ (kɛə) /

verb

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to be troubled or concerned; be affected emotionally he is dying, and she doesn't care

(intr; foll by for or about) to have regard, affection, or consideration (for) he cares more for his hobby than his job

(intr foll by for) to have a desire or taste (for) would you care for some tea?

(intr foll by for) to provide physical needs, help, or comfort (for) the nurse cared for her patients

(tr) to agree or like (to do something) would you care to sit down, please?

for all I care or I couldn't care less I am completely indifferent

noun

careful or serious attention under her care the plant flourished; he does his work with care

protective or supervisory control in the care of a doctor

(often plural) trouble; anxiety; worry

an object of or cause for concern the baby's illness was her only care

caution handle with care

care of at the address of: written on envelopes Usual abbreviation: c/o

in care or into care social welfare made the legal responsibility of a local authority by order of a court

Word Origin for care

Old English cearu (n), cearian (vb), of Germanic origin; compare Old High German chara lament, Latin garrīre to gossip

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (2 of 2)

CARE

/ (kɛə) /

n acronym for

Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere, Inc.; a federation of US charities, giving financial and technical assistance to many regions of the world

communicated authenticity, regard, empathy: the three qualities believed to be essential in the therapist practising client-centred therapy

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (1 of 2)

couldn't care less

Also, could care less. Be completely indifferent. For example, Pick whatever dessert you want; I couldn't care less, or I could care less about the editor's opinion. This expression originated about 1940 in Britain and for a time invariably used couldn't. About 1960 could was occasionally substituted, and today both versions are used with approximately equal frequency, despite their being antonyms.

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (2 of 2)

care

In addition to the idiom beginning with care

care package

also see:

couldn't care less
for all (I care)
in care of
in charge (the care of)
take care
take care of
tender loving care
that's (takes care of) that

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

care

noun

verb (used without object), cared, car·ing.

verb (used with object), cared, car·ing.

Idioms for care

Origin of care

synonym study for care

usage note for care

OTHER WORDS FROM care

Words nearby care

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (1 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for care

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (2 of 2)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (2 of 2)

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

care

noun

verb (used without object), cared, car·ing.

verb (used with object), cared, car·ing.

Idioms for care

Origin of care

synonym study for care

usage note for care

OTHER WORDS FROM care

Words nearby care

Words related to couldn't care less

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verb

noun

Word Origin for care

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (2 of 2)

n acronym for

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with couldn't care less (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for couldn't care less (1 of 2)