WordGarden.iocater
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈeɪtə/
US
- /ˈkeɪtər/
Meanings
Verb
provide food and drink for an event or group
provide what someone wants or needs
Beyond the definition
To cater means to provide what is needed or desired—especially food and drink, along with the service, for an event. Think of a wedding: someone has to cater the reception, meaning they’ll prepare and serve the meal (and often handle setup and cleanup, too). But catering isn’t only about food; you can also cater to someone’s needs by being attentive and helpful. A good teacher caters to different learning styles, while a spoiled child might have parents who cater to their every whim. Ultimately, it suggests tailoring what you do to satisfy specific requirements or desires.
The word "cater" has a fascinating duality. At its heart, it means to provide what is required or desired—most traditionally regarding food and drink for a social gathering. A professional catering company doesn't just drop off trays of sandwiches; they handle everything from setup and service to cleanup, ensuring guests are well taken care of. This sense of the word also extends to businesses that tailor their offerings to specific groups: "The hotel caters to business travelers with high-speed internet and comfortable workspaces."
However, "cater" also describes the act of indulging someone's whims or preferences, sometimes excessively. Saying "her parents catered to her every desire" suggests they spoiled her by giving her whatever she wanted. In this context, the usage can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying an overindulgence that isn't necessarily healthy or beneficial.
In some varieties of English (especially British English), you may also see cater for used with a similar meaning to cater to (“The school caters for children with special needs”), though cater to is common and widely understood.
Historically, "cater" originally meant to purchase provisions from merchants—essentially acting as a middleman or a buyer. Over time, the word evolved from the simple act of buying supplies into the broader meaning of providing goods and specialized services directly to customers.
So, whether you're talking about a lavish wedding feast or someone who always gets their way, "cater" speaks to the act of supplying needs, fulfilling desires, and often going the extra mile to ensure satisfaction—sometimes even to an extreme degree.
Examples
- 1
Event catering
We hired a local company to cater the wedding.
- 2
Customer groups
This cafe tries to cater to both office workers and tourists.
- Patterncater to + person/group
provide what they want or need
- 3
Educational needs
Good teachers know how to cater to students at different levels.
- 4
Family services
The hotel doesn't really cater for families with young children.
- Usage
In British English, cater for is also common with this meaning.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Unreasonable demands
She was tired of having to cater to her boss's every demand.
- Patterncater to someone's every demand
keep doing everything they want
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- caterverb
Forms
- catering-ing formverb
- cateredpast tenseverb
- catersverb