caring

American  

[kair-ing] / ˈkɛər ɪŋ /

adjective

1. feeling or showing care for, concern about, or attentiveness to other people's needs; compassionate; thoughtful.

   I often speak of our desire to build a smart and caring nation that nurtures its citizens.

   He's such a caring person and a great friend to me.

2. relating to the task of identifying and tending to the needs of others, especially those who cannot look after themselves.

   The study showed that in this country, women are responsible for the bulk of unpaid domestic and caring work.

   Empathy is important in caring professions such as nursing and social work, but avoiding burnout is also essential.

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noun

1. the act or practice of showing concern for, displaying attentiveness to, or tending to the needs of others.

   In these stories, we can see what caring, compassion, and altruism look like distilled to their purest forms.

   During this nursing course, you will study caring, communication, health promotion, and infection prevention.

caring British  

/ ˈkɛərɪŋ /

adjective

1. feeling or showing care and compassion

   a caring attitude

2. of or relating to professional social or medical care

   nursing is a caring job

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noun

1. the practice or profession of providing social or medical care

Other Word Forms

• caringly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of caring

First recorded in 1550–60; see care ( def. ), -ing ¹ ( def. ), -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Commonly referred to as that "warm fuzzy feeling," caring is the kindness or love you have towards another individual. You can also use caring (as an adjective) to describe a person who acts in this warm and fuzzy way. There's a reason for the saying "caring is sharing." You and your best buddy might exhibit caring, or affection, by sharing secrets, hugs, and the contents of your lunch boxes. Caring can also be an adjective. Caring nurses, parents, and teachers are great "caregivers" because they dole out warm fuzziness all day long. Well, at least sometimes.

Example Sentences

The film addresses complicated familial bonds and his mother’s experience caring for others.

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

The book centers on Daphne Fuller, a 53-year-old high-school literature teacher who lives comfortably with her caring husband, Jonathan, in the suburbs outside New York City.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Cai said Annie loved her job with grain-growing company CBH and, during the off-season, also worked on a farm alongside his boss's wife, helping with cooking, cleaning and caring for others.

From BBC • May 27, 2026

Rather than joining the fights, these individuals focused on essential tasks such as collecting food and caring for developing young.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

As lady’s maid to the president’s wife, her tasks included caring for the expensive silk and woolen clothing and the linens worn closest to the body, as well as delicate lace and handkerchiefs.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis

Related Words

• accessible
• advantageous
• applicable
• conducive
• constructive
• convenient
• cooperative
• crucial
• essential
• favorable
• friendly
• important
• invaluable
• practical
• productive
• profitable
• significant
• suitable
• supportive
• sympathetic