care

Help given to people who are ill, very young, or unable to manage alone.

• The child needs medical care.
• Nurses provide care at home.
• Good care helped him recover.

Similar words: support, assistance

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: health care, medical care, nursing care

Looking after someone and making sure they are safe and have what they need.

• I take care of my sister.
• The baby is safe in her care.
• Who took care of the children yesterday?

How to use it: take care of someone (My brother takes care of our grandmother.); in someone’s care (The children were left in their aunt’s care.)

Similar words: supervision, looking after

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: take care of, in someone’s care, care of someone

Doing what is needed to solve a problem or complete a task.

• I will take care of it.
• She took care of the bill.
• Can you take care of this problem today?

How to use it: take care of something (I will take care of the travel arrangements.)

Similar words: handling, management

Common phrases: take care of, care of something

Words you say when leaving someone, wishing them well.

• Bye, take care!
• Take care, and see you soon.
• She waved and said, “Take care!”

Common phrases: take care, take care now

Attention to what you are doing so that nobody is hurt and nothing goes wrong.

• Handle the glass with care.
• Take care on the stairs.
• He took extra care when cutting the wood.

How to use it: take care not to do something (Take care not to slip on the wet floor.); take care when doing something (Take care when crossing this road.)

Similar words: caution, attention

Opposites: carelessness

Common phrases: take care, with care, extra care

Looking after something so that it stays healthy or in good condition.

• These plants need very little care.
• Regular care keeps your bike working well.
• Read the care instructions before washing this coat.

How to use it: take care of something (He takes care of the garden every weekend.)

Similar words: maintenance, upkeep

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: plant care, skin care, care of something

To feel that someone or something matters to you.

• I care about you.
• He did not care what happened.
• Do they care about our feelings?

How to use it: care about someone/something (She cares about the environment.); care what/whether … (I do not care what they think.)

Similar words: be concerned, mind

Common phrases: care about someone, care about something, really care, care a lot

To look after someone or something and give them the help or attention they need.

• He cares for his mother.
• We cared for the injured bird.
• Who will care for your pets while you travel?

How to use it: care for someone/something (She cares for her father at home.)

Similar words: look after, tend

Opposites: neglect

Common phrases: care for someone, care for something