Love vs. Care — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
"Love" is an intense emotional connection or feeling towards someone or something. "Care" is the act of showing concern or kindness for the well-being of someone or something.
Difference Between Love and Care
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Love" is an emotional state that can manifest as a profound sense of attachment, affection, or devotion toward someone or something. It often implies a deep emotional connection that can be romantic, platonic, or familial. "Care," on the other hand, denotes the action or practice of showing concern or attention for someone’s well-being, which can be emotional, physical, or psychological. "Love" often includes "care," but "care" doesn't necessarily include "love."
Both "love" and "care" can be used as nouns or verbs, but they serve different grammatical roles in a sentence. For instance, you can "love" someone but you can also "be in love," whereas you can "care for" someone but can't "be in care." The phrasal use of the words highlights the difference between the abstract, all-encompassing nature of "love" and the more task-oriented focus of "care."
In etymology, "love" comes from Old English "lufu," which has ties to passion and desire. "Care" comes from Old English "caru" or "cearu," related to sorrow and lament, showing the concern aspect. Each word has evolved to incorporate a variety of meanings, yet "love" often refers to a state of being, while "care" usually refers to a series of actions or responsibilities.
The verbs "to love" and "to care" have different implications too. To "love" someone often implies a deep emotional investment that isn't easily swayed. To "care for" someone often focuses on their physical or emotional needs, implying a responsibility rather than an emotional state.
Comparison Chart
Type of Word
Noun, Verb
Noun, Verb
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Refers to
Emotional State
Actions, Responsibilities
Grammatical Role
"be in love"
"care for"
Origin
Old English "lufu"
Old English "caru" or "cearu"
Usage in Sentence
"I love you."
"I care for you."
Compare with Definitions
Love
An intense emotional attachment to someone or something.
Her love for her children knows no bounds.
Care
A detailed attention or caution aimed at doing something correctly.
He selected his words with care.
Love
A deep sense of care, warmth, and protectiveness.
The love between siblings is unique.
Care
The provision of medical or emotional support.
She is under medical care for her condition.
Love
A passionate interest or enthusiasm for something.
His love for music is evident in his collection.
Care
A concerned or troubled state of mind, as that arising from serious responsibility; worry.
Love
Love encompasses a range of strong and positive emotional and mental states, from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection, to the simplest pleasure. An example of this range of meanings is that the love of a mother differs from the love of a spouse, which differs from the love of food.
Care
An object or source of worry, attention, or solicitude
The many cares of a working parent.
Love
A strong feeling of affection and concern toward another person, as that arising from kinship or close friendship.
Care
Interest, regard, or liking
Did not show the least care for her.
Love
A feeling of devotion or adoration toward God or a god.
Care
Close attention, as in doing something well or avoiding harm
Painted the trim with care.
Love
A feeling of kindness or concern by God or a god toward humans.
Care
Upkeep; maintenance
A product for the care of fine floors.
Hair care products.
Love
Often Love(Christianity) Charity.
Care
Watchful oversight; charge or supervision
Left the child in the care of a neighbor.
Love
An instance of being in love
Teenage loves can be as fleeting as they are intense.
Care
Attentive assistance or treatment to those in need
A hospital that provides emergency care.
Love
A person for whom one has strong feelings of affection
She met her new love at the restaurant.
Care
To be concerned or interested
Once inside, we didn't care whether it rained or not.
Love
Used as a term of endearment for such a person.
Care
To provide needed assistance or watchful supervision
Cared for the wounded.
Caring for an aged relative at home.
Love
An intense emotional attachment to something, as to a pet or treasured object.
Care
To object or mind
If no one cares, I'll smoke.
Love
An expression of one's affection
Send him my love.
Care
To have a liking or attachment
Didn't care for the movie.
Love
A strong predilection or enthusiasm
A love of language.
Love for the game of golf.
Care
To have a wish; be inclined
Would you care for another helping?.
Love
The object of such an enthusiasm
The outdoors is her greatest love.
Care
To wish; desire
Would you care to dance?.
Love
Love(Mythology) Eros or Cupid.
Care
To be concerned to the degree of
I don't care a bit what critics think.
Love
(Sports) A score of zero, as in tennis.
Care
(obsolete) Grief, sorrow. 19
Love
To feel love for (a person)
We love our parents. I love my friends.
Care
Close attention; concern; responsibility.
Care should be taken when holding babies.
Love
To feel devotion to (God or a god).
Care
Worry.
I don't have a care in the world.
Love
To feel or show kindness or concern to (a person). Used of God or a god.
Care
Maintenance, upkeep.
Dental care
Love
To have an intense emotional attachment to
Loves his house.
Care
The treatment of those in need (especially as a profession).
Love
To embrace or caress
They were loving each other on the sofa.
Care
The state of being cared for by others.
In care
Love
To like or desire enthusiastically
Loves swimming.
Care
The object of watchful attention or anxiety.
Love
To thrive on; need
The cactus loves hot, dry air.
Care
To be concerned (about), to have an interest (in); to feel concern (about).
"She doesn't care what you think." "I don't care, I'm still going."
Love
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
Care
To want, to desire; to like; to be inclined towards.
Would you care for another slice of cake?
Would you care to dance?
I don't care to hear your opinion.
Love
(uncountable) Strong affection.
Care
For it to matter to, or make any difference to.
Love
A profound and caring affection towards someone.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
Care
(intransitive) (with for) To look after or look out for.
Young children can learn to care for a pet.
He cared for his mother while she was sick.
Love
Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Care
To mind; to object.
Love
A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
Care
A burdensome sense of responsibility; trouble caused by onerous duties; anxiety; concern; solicitude.
Care keeps his watch in every old man's eye,And where care lodges, sleep will never lie.
Love
A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
Care
Charge, oversight, or management, implying responsibility for safety and prosperity.
The care of all the churches.
Him thy care must be to find.
Perplexed with a thousand cares.
Love
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
Care
Attention or heed; caution; regard; heedfulness; watchfulness; as, take care; have a care.
I thank thee for thy care and honest pains.
Love
A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
Care
The object of watchful attention or anxiety.
Right sorrowfully mourning her bereaved cares.
Love
A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
Care
To be anxious or solicitous; to be concerned; to have regard or interest; - sometimes followed by an objective of measure.
I would not care a pin, if the other three were in.
Master, carest thou not that we perish?
He cared not for the affection of the house.
Love
An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Care
The work of caring for or attending to someone or something;
No medical care was required
The old car needed constant attention
Love
Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
Care
Judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger;
He exercised caution in opening the door
He handled the vase with care
Love
(obsolete) A thin silk material.
Care
An anxious feeling;
Care had aged him
They hushed it up out of fear of public reaction
Love
A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
Care
A cause for feeling concern;
His major care was the illness of his wife
Love
Zero, no score.
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
Care
Attention and management implying responsibility for safety;
He is in the care of a bodyguard
Love
Nothing; no recompense.
Care
Activity involved in maintaining something in good working order;
He wrote the manual on car care
Love
To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
I love my spouse.
I love you!
I love that song!
Care
Feel concern or interest;
I really care about my work
I don't care
Love
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
Care
Provide care for;
The nurse was caring for the wounded
Love
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
I love walking barefoot on wet grass;
I'd love to join the team;
I love what you've done with your hair
Care
Prefer or wish to do something;
Do you care to try this dish?
Would you like to come along to the movies?
Love
To care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
Care
Be in charge of, act on, or dispose of;
I can deal with this crew of workers
This blender can't handle nuts
She managed her parents' affairs after they got too old
Love
(transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
Care
Be concerned with;
I worry about my grades
Love
A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preëminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness; as, the love of brothers and sisters.
Of all the dearest bonds we proveThou countest sons' and mothers' loveMost sacred, most Thine own.
Care
The act of showing concern or attention for someone’s well-being.
She provides care for the elderly.
Love
Courtship; - chiefly in the phrase to make love, i. e., to court, to woo, to solicit union in marriage.
Demetrius . . . Made love to Nedar's daughter, Helena,And won her soul.
Care
A feeling of interest and importance attached to something.
He has a care for the environment.
Love
Affection; kind feeling; friendship; strong liking or desire; fondness; good will; - opposed to hate; often with of and an object.
Love, and health to all.
Smit with the love of sacred song.
The love of science faintly warmed his breast.
Care
The responsibility of maintaining or overseeing something or someone.
She has taken on the care of her younger sister.
Love
Due gratitude and reverence to God.
Keep yourselves in the love of God.
Love
The object of affection; - often employed in endearing address; as, he held his love in his arms; his greatest love was reading.
Open the temple gates unto my love.
Love
Cupid, the god of love; sometimes, Venus.
Such was his form as painters, when they showTheir utmost art, on naked Lores bestow.
Therefore do nimble-pinioned doves draw Love.
Love
A thin silk stuff.
Love
A climbing species of Clematis (Clematis Vitalba).
Love
Nothing; no points scored on one side; - used in counting score at tennis, etc.
He won the match by three sets to love.
Love
To have a feeling of love for; to regard with affection or good will; as, to love one's children and friends; to love one's country; to love one's God.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self.
Love
To take delight or pleasure in; to have a strong liking or desire for, or interest in; to be pleased with; to like; as, to love books; to love adventures.
Wit, eloquence, and poetry.Arts which I loved.
Love
To have the feeling of love; to be in love.
Love
A strong positive emotion of regard and affection;
His love for his work
Children need a lot of love
Love
Any object of warm affection or devotion;
The theater was her first love
He has a passion for cock fighting
Love
A beloved person; used as terms of endearment
Love
A score of zero in tennis or squash;
It was 40 love
Love
Have a great affection or liking for;
I love French food
She loves her boss and works hard for him
Love
Get pleasure from;
I love cooking
Love
Be enamored or in love with;
She loves her husband deeply
Love
A feeling of strong romantic attraction.
They fell in love at first sight.
Love
An abstract concept encompassing a range of positive emotions.
Love is the foundation of every relationship.
Common Curiosities
What is Love?
Love is an intense emotional attachment or connection to someone or something.
Is Love always romantic?
No, love can be platonic, familial, or even directed towards things.
Can Care exist without Love?
Yes, one can care for someone without necessarily loving them.
Is Care always physical?
No, care can be emotional, psychological, or physical.
How is Love commonly expressed?
Love is often expressed through actions, words, or gestures like hugs and kisses.
Can Care be negligent?
Yes, poorly executed care can result in negligence and harm.
What is unrequited Love?
Unrequited love is love that is not reciprocated by the other person.
What is Care?
Care refers to the act or practice of showing concern for someone's well-being.
Can Love exist without Care?
Generally, love includes elements of care but can exist in various forms.
Is Care a duty?
Care can be both a voluntary act and a duty or responsibility.
Can Love be harmful?
In some cases, love can become obsessive or possessive, which is harmful.
How is Care commonly expressed?
Care is usually expressed through actions that demonstrate concern for well-being.
Is Love a choice?
Love can be both a feeling and a choice, depending on the context.
Are Love and Care mutually exclusive?
No, they often coexist but can also exist independently of each other.
What is professional Care?
Professional care refers to formal services like healthcare or social work.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
