cater

[key-ter]

verb (used without object)

1. to provide food, service, etc., as for a party or wedding.

   to cater for a banquet.

2. to provide or supply what amuses, is desired, or gives pleasure, comfort, etc. (usually followed by to orfor ).

   to cater to popular demand; to cater to an invalid.

   Synonyms: please, indulge, humor

verb (used with object)

1. to provide food and service for.

   to cater a party.

cater

/ ˈkeɪtə /

verb

1. (intr; foll by for or to) to provide what is required or desired (for)

   to cater for a need

   cater to your tastes

2. to provide food, services, etc (for)

   we cater for parties

   to cater a banquet

Other Word Forms

• cateringly adverb
• uncatered adjective
• uncatering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cater¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; verb use of obsolete cater, Middle English catour, variant of acatour “buyer,” from Anglo-French, from acat(er) “to buy” ( cate ) + -our -or ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of cater¹

C16: from earlier catour purchaser, variant of acatour, from Anglo-Norman acater to buy, ultimately related to Latin acceptāre to _accept

Example Sentences

Products and brands that cater to the wealthier set are profiting from the split-screen economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Weight-loss drugs remain a risk to the company’s core business, seeing as Inspire Medical caters to patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a breathing disorder frequently linked to obesity.

Read more on Barron's

One of Kai's customers, a DJ called Danny, was told that Miles had said he ran a catering firm working in the hospitality areas at the festival, which gave him access to tickets.

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And theaters are perfectly willing to cater to their most loyal customers.

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She had stacks of silver serving platters and mountains of spoons, some of which dated back to my grandparents’ catering business.

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