carer

British  

/ ˈkɛərə /

noun

1. Usual US and Canadian term: caregiver.  social welfare a person who has accepted responsibility for looking after a vulnerable neighbour or relative See also caretaker

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Explanation

A carer is someone who tends to a patient or looks after a young child or elderly person. If your grandfather is very ill, he may need the help of a carer at home. A carer, also called a caregiver, is sometimes a paid helper whose job is caring for people, like a home health aide or a babysitter. Often family members act as carers, tending to elderly or ailing relatives. If your uncle helps your grandfather get into his wheelchair and take his medicine each day, he's a carer. This word is from care and its Old English root, which means both "feel concern" and "grieve."

Example Sentences

Alphie Lonergan is 84 years old and the primary carer for two of his adult children.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

She said local authorities should be held accountable for carer assessments.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

"Keith Hornby was the primary carer for his elderly mother and was just taking an hour out of his demanding day to get some fresh air and exercise," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Kalia, who also worked as a foster carer, was "a man who brought calmness and warmth to whatever situation he was in", his friend Tim Brentnall said.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Chrissie leaned over the table towards me and said quietly, like she was explaining to a child: “He’s being a carer. What else do you think he’d be doing here? He’s a proper carer now.”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro