How to pronounce care
Say it like KAIR. Care is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce care. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAIR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Care pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of care
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: KAIR.
What does care mean?
- the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something“no medical care was required”“the old car needs constant attention”
- judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger“he exercised caution in opening the door”“he handled the vase with care”
- an anxious feeling“care had aged him”“they hushed it up out of fear of public reaction”
- feel concern or interest“I really care about my work”“I don't care”
- provide care for“The nurse was caring for the wounded”
- prefer or wish to do something“Do you care to try this dish?”“Would you like to come along to the movies?”
Where does care come from?
From Middle English care, from Old English caru, ċearu (“care, concern, anxiety, sorrow, grief, trouble”), from Proto-West Germanic *karu, from Proto-Germanic *karō (“care, sorrow, cry”), from Proto-Indo-European *ǵeh₂r- (“shout, call”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with care
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of care.
Questions about saying care
How do you pronounce care?
Say KAIR. The American pronunciation is /kɛr/. In British English it is /kɛə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in care?
Care is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KAIR.
Is care pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /kɛə/ (KAIR).