Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Language: Old English
Origin: caru

care

1 noun
     
care1 S2 W2
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 somebody's care (=being looked after by someone)
The children had been left in the care of a babysitter.
be under somebody'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 tender1 (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 EnglishTCM used when sending letters to someone at someone else's address [= 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
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

Dictionary pictures of the day
Do you know what each of these is called?
What is the word for picture 1? What is the word for picture 2? What is the word for picture 3? What is the word for picture 4?
Click on any of the pictures above to find out what it is called.

Explore our topic dictionary

Browse the dictionary