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to care

to care

426 1.0
To want to do something when making a polite offer or request
  • verb
  • /kɛr/
  • Formal
: desear
  • Would you care to join us for dinner tonight?
  • care to say
  • care to admit

OK, Robert, would you care to say anything to, oh, Oprah?

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Examples

Synonyms

to like
vsto care
∞ 1.0

To want something, often as a polite request

is used for polite offers or invitations rather than general preference
to wish
vsto care
∞ 1.0

To want something to happen, often when it seems unlikely, or to ask for it politely

is used for polite offers rather than unlikely or imaginary desires
to care for
vsto care
398 1.9

Like a person or want something

expresses polite offers instead of emotional liking or affection

Antonyms

dislike
  • Texting
50 1.0

A feeling of not liking someone or something

Idioms

52 9.1

To say you do not care at all, often to show you actually do care

to care a pin
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To not mind something at all

to care a hang
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To feel no interest or worry at all about something

9.9

To feel no interest or concern about something

Not be very interested in something, said as a joke

To not care at all

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 1.3

To look after a person or thing and deal with their needs

∞ 1.3

To look after someone or deal with a problem

398 1.9

Like a person or want something

378 1.0

Look after a sick or injured person and give them needed help

199 1.8

To be careful to avoid danger

To handle important tasks or responsibilities

To treat someone or something gently to avoid harm

Look after and help someone so they are safe and healthy

Compounds

∞ 1.8

Services that help people stay well or get better

137 2.5

Help from doctors and nurses for illness or injury

103 1.2

Care for children during the day while their parents work

91 1.9

Looking after children by someone other than their parents, often for pay

90 2.6

Temporary care in another home for children who cannot live with their parents

intensive care
  • Specialized
60 3.0

A hospital unit where very ill people get constant monitoring and treatment

48 3.0

Basic medical help people get first from a family doctor

35 1.8

A place where young children are looked after while parents work

Someone or somewhere that gives medical care, for example a doctor

home care
  • Specialized
29 2.8

Care and help with medical and personal needs in a person's home for elderly or disabled people

26 2.8

A high level of attention and caution that helps avoid damage or mistakes

intensive care unit
  • Specialized
21 3.1

A hospital area where very sick patients get constant care and monitoring

nursing care
  • Specialized
16 3.0

Care given by a trained nurse to help a patient get better

15 1.6

A daily routine to keep your skin clean and healthy

A doctor you see first for health problems who gives general care and arranges specialist help

10 1.3

Looking after hair by washing, cutting, and treating it

10 2.1

To keep teeth healthy by brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist

hospital care
  • Specialized
9 2.1

Doctors and nurses give treatment and nursing to a patient during a hospital stay

Help for people who cannot fully look after themselves, for example with bathing, dressing, and eating

devil-may-care
  • Informal
6 8.1

Not caring about danger or the bad results of actions

care delivery
  • Specialized
6 3.4

The way people get health services from places like a hospital or clinic

health care delivery
  • Specialized
5 3.1

The way health services are organized and given to people

Care Bear
  • Baby Talk
3 3.0

A made-up colorful bear character with a symbol on its belly showing a feeling

A doctor or nurse you see first for health problems and regular check-ups

3 2.5

Gentle, careful help and attention people give to someone or something that needs support

primary health care
  • Specialized
3 3.0

Basic health care you get first from a doctor or community clinic for everyday needs

3 4.7

A hospital area where very small or sick newborns get constant medical care

pediatric care
  • Specialized
3 3.4

Care that doctors and nurses give to babies, children, and teenagers

eye care
  • Specialized
2 3.0

To keep your eyes healthy, have regular checkups and protect them

2 3.0

Services that clean and repair a house or apartment

due care
  • Formal
2 5.0

A level of careful attention a sensible person shows in a situation, often required by law

2 3.8

Long-term help and housing for people with memory loss like dementia

1 3.0

Temporary care in a home for animals waiting for adoption

1 2.7

Keeping a car clean and working by doing regular checks and repairs

1 4.4

A place that gives long-term medical care and help for people recovering

1 3.8

Enough careful attention a sensible person gives in a situation to avoid harm

coronary care unit
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A hospital department that gives close care to people with serious heart problems

ordinary care
  • Formal
1 3.8

The level of attention and caution a reasonable person shows in similar situations to avoid harm

1 8.6

How much someone is interested in or bothered by something, often little

1 2.9

Regular cleaning, careful handling, and safe storage to keep a camera working well

crit care technique
  • Specialized
6.1

A special method nurses use in intensive care to treat very sick patients

Very gentle treatment to avoid harm or upset

How Willing

to long
184 4.5
desire
∞ 1.6
to want
∞ 1.0
to care
  • Formal
426 1.0

Surface Forms

care infinitive
cared past
cared past participle
caring present participle
cares third person singular

Etymology

Care comes from an old English word caru meaning 'worry' or 'concern'. A helpful way to remember the polite use in 'Do you care to...?' is to think 'does it matter to you?', so there it means 'would you like' or 'do you wish'.