care
15 synonyms and 2 antonyms for care, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Serious attention or effort put into avoiding mistakes or harm.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use care
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English caru/cearu ("worry, sorrow, concern"), from a Germanic root meaning "to cry out" — the word originally leaned more toward grief than the neutral "attention" sense it carries today.
Full origin of care →Frequently asked questions
What does “care” mean?
The word “care” means serious attention or effort put into avoiding mistakes or harm. In plain terms, either the worry you feel about something, or the effort and attention you give to keeping someone or something safe and well.
How do you pronounce “care”?
“Care” is pronounced keh-uh (/kɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “care” in a sentence?
Here is “care” used in a sentence: “Please handle the packages with care.”
What is another word for “care”?
Words with a similar meaning to “care” include becare, bother, concern oneself, heed, mind and reck.
What is the opposite of “care”?
The opposite of “care” — its antonyms — are let slide and neglect.
What part of speech is “care”?
Depending on how it is used, “care” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “care” come from?
The word “care” comes from Old English. From Old English caru/cearu ("worry, sorrow, concern"), from a Germanic root meaning "to cry out" — the word originally leaned more toward grief than the neutral "attention" sense it carries today.
Is “care” a common word?
“Care” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between care and caution?
Both involve avoiding harm, but they differ in focus. 'Care' is the serious attention and effort you put into doing something well and avoiding mistakes. 'Caution' is specifically wariness about danger or risk — holding back to stay safe. You handle fragile glass with care, and you cross a busy road with caution.
What is the opposite of 'care' in this sense?
The opposite is 'carelessness' — a lack of attention that leads to mistakes or harm. Related opposites include 'negligence,' 'recklessness,' and 'sloppiness.' Where care means handling a task thoughtfully and thoroughly, carelessness means rushing or ignoring detail, so errors slip through. 'Neglect' captures the same failure to give something proper attention.
Why is care important?
Care matters because attention to detail prevents costly mistakes and avoidable harm. Work done with care is safer, more accurate, and more trustworthy — whether it is a surgeon's precision, a builder's measurements, or a proofreader's eye. Taking care also shows respect for the task and for the people who depend on the result.