care
care
Pronunciation
/kɛər/
/k/: Voiceless velar stop
/ɛə/: Diphthong, starting with a near-open front unrounded vowel and gliding towards an unrounded central vowel.
/r/: Voiced alveolar approximant (often post-vocalic or rhotic 'r')
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: care (e.g., "She showed great care in her work.")
Plural: cares (e.g., "He was weighed down by many cares.")
It's worth noting that "care" as a noun is often uncountable (e.g., "medical care," "skin care"), in which case it doesn't typically have a plural form. The plural "cares" is generally used when referring to worries, anxieties, or specific instances of care.
As a Verb:
The verb "care" conjugates like most regular English verbs:
Base form (infinitive): care (e.g., "I care about that.")
Third-person singular present: cares (e.g., "He cares deeply.")
Present participle: caring (e.g., "She is caring for the children.")
Simple past: cared (e.g., "They cared for him.")
Past participle: cared (e.g., "They had cared for him for years.")
Other related word forms (from the same word family):
Noun:
carer (person who provides care)
Adjectives:
careful
careless
caring
uncaring
Adverbs:
carefully
carelessly
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
1. Definition: The diligent attention or consideration given to a task, a person, or an object, often reflecting a sense of responsibility, precision, or concern for its well-being or successful outcome.
Synonyms: attentiveness, meticulousness, diligence, caution, heed, solicitude, concern, consideration
Antonyms: neglect, carelessness, recklessness, disregard, indifference, inattention
2. Definition: A state of mental distress, worry, or anxiety, often brought about by responsibilities, difficulties, or personal burdens. (Often used in the plural: "cares")
Synonyms: worry, anxiety, trouble, burden, concern, tribulation, stress, sorrow
Antonyms: peace, tranquility, contentment, serenity, joy, relief
3. Definition: The provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.
Synonyms: upkeep, tending, maintenance, nurturing, fostering, supervision, guardianship, management, support
Antonyms: abandonment, neglect, deprivation, disinterest, harm
Verb
1. Definition: To feel and demonstrate genuine concern, interest, or affection for someone or something; to hold dear.
Synonyms: cherish, love, value, prize, hold dear, be fond of, appreciate, mind
Antonyms: dislike, hate, despise, disregard, ignore, be indifferent to
2. Definition: To provide the necessary attention, support, or services for the well-being, maintenance, or protection of someone or something.
Synonyms: look after, tend, mind, nurse, foster, maintain, preserve, supervise, attend to
Antonyms: abandon, neglect, forsake, mistreat, harm
3. Definition: To have an inclination or desire; to be willing or disposed to do something. (Often used in negative constructions or questions)
Synonyms: wish, want, desire, feel inclined, be disposed, bother, trouble oneself
Antonyms: refuse, decline, be unwilling, object (to)
4. Definition: To be of importance or consequence; to matter.
Synonyms: matter, signify, count, be important, be relevant, mean something
Antonyms: be unimportant, be insignificant, not matter, be irrelevant
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was an old, battered doll, but she treated it with the utmost care, as if it were a fragile porcelain figurine." (From a fictional novel, likely indicating meticulousness)
"The doctor emphasized the importance of self-care in managing chronic stress, recommending regular exercise and meditation." (From a health and wellness guide, referring to looking after one's own well-being)
"He bore the cares of the kingdom on his shoulders, a heavy burden for so young a king." (From a historical fiction novel, using "cares" to mean worries/anxieties)
Newspapers:
"New legislation aims to improve care for elderly residents in nursing homes across the country." (Associated Press)
"Environmental groups urge greater care in waste disposal to protect marine life." (The Daily Nation)
"While the government promised reforms, many citizens still don't care about the upcoming elections, citing apathy." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Our comprehensive guide offers tips on how to care for your new houseplant, ensuring it thrives in its new environment." (From a gardening blog, meaning to look after/tend to)
"The tech company announced a new initiative to promote employee well-being, emphasizing mental health care resources." (TechCrunch, in an article about corporate culture, meaning provision of services)
"I don't care what others think; I'm going to pursue my passion regardless." (From a personal development website, expressing indifference)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Interstellar, Cooper says, "We used to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars, now we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt." This line evokes a sense of lost "care" for broader exploration in favor of immediate concerns.
Television Series (Dialogue): "You clearly don't care about my feelings at all!" (A common line in a dramatic television show, expressing a lack of concern or affection)
Song Lyrics: "All you need is love, love. Love is all you need." (The Beatles, implicitly suggesting that "love" encompasses a deep "care" for others)
Video Game (Mission Objective): "You must care for the injured villagers and defend them from the invading horde." (From a role-playing game, meaning to provide aid and protection)
Podcast (Discussion): "We discussed the challenges of balancing a career with family care, a common dilemma for many working parents." (From a podcast on lifestyle topics, referring to looking after family members)
General Public Discourse:
"I really care about this project succeeding; I've put a lot of effort into it." (Spoken in a team meeting, showing genuine concern/interest)
"Please handle these fragile items with care." (A common instruction given when moving delicate objects, meaning with caution/diligence)
"Do you care for a cup of tea?" (A polite offer in social settings, meaning "would you like")
"It's a shame that some people don't care enough to vote." (A statement made in a discussion about civic engagement, indicating a lack of concern/interest)
"He's under the care of a specialist." (A common phrase indicating someone is being looked after by a professional)
10 Famous Quotes Using Care
Here are ten famous quotes using the word "care":
"I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself." (Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre)
"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors." (Tia Walker, The Inspired Caregiver)
"Sometimes all you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best. Sometimes you just have to let go." (Unknown, often attributed to various sources, though the sentiment of letting go of cares is common)
"We can only learn to love by loving. We can only learn to care by caring." (Iris Murdoch, The Sovereignty of Good)
"A man who doesn't spend time with his family can never be a real man." (Don Corleone, The Godfather - implying a deep care and commitment to family)
"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." (Theodore Roosevelt)
"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection." (Buddha - emphasizing the importance of self-care)
"My only care is to do my part." (Epictetus, Discourses)
"What does not destroy me, makes me stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols - implying one's ability to overcome cares and difficulties)
"Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." (Jim Rohn)
Etymology
The word "care" has a really interesting history that goes way back! It comes from an ancient root that originally had to do with making a sound or a cry.
Imagine way, way back in time to a language called Proto-Indo-European (which is like the great-grandparent of many languages spoken today, including English). In that very old language, there was a root sound like "*ǵeh₂r-" which meant something like "to shout" or "to call."
As this language evolved into Proto-Germanic (the ancestor of English, German, and other Germanic languages), that sound changed and developed into a word like "*karō." Here, the meaning shifted from just "a cry" to something more specific: a "lament," "grief," or "sorrow," and also "concern." Think of it like crying out because of sadness or worry.
This Proto-Germanic word then made its way into Old English (the earliest form of English, spoken before 1150 AD) as "caru" or "ċearu." In Old English, its first known meanings were indeed about "sorrow," "anxiety," and "grief." It also started to mean "serious mental attention" or "concern caused by apprehension of evil or burdens." So, right from its earliest English days, "care" had this strong connection to emotional burden and worry.
Over time, during the Middle English period, "caru" evolved into "care," and its meaning expanded. While it still held onto the sense of sorrow, it gradually picked up the more positive senses of "attention," "protection," and "responsibility" that we commonly use today. So, it went from mainly describing a feeling of distress to also describing the actions you take when you feel concern for something or someone.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Care
Take care: Be careful; often used as a farewell.
Care for someone/something: To look after or provide for; to feel affection for.
Couldn't care less: To have no interest or concern whatsoever.
In good hands/care: Being looked after by someone competent and trustworthy. (Using a synonymous effect for "care")
A weight off one's mind/shoulders: Relief from worry or responsibility. (Using a synonymous effect for "cares" as worries)
Care to (do something): To feel inclined or willing to do something (often in questions or offers, e.g., "Would you care to dance?").
To the utmost care: With the greatest possible attention and diligence.
Free from care: Without worries or anxieties.
Beyond compare/care: Something so unique or excellent that it cannot be matched (a metaphorical extension of "care" as consideration for comparison).
Have a care: Be cautious or careful (an older, more formal warning).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of care from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
