CATER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does cater mean? 

• CATER (verb)
  The verb CATER has 2 senses:

1. give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

2. supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets

  Familiarity information: CATER used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CATER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they cater    ... he / she / it caters   
Past simple: catered   
Past participle: catered   
-ing form: catering   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Synonyms:

cater; ply; provide; supply

Context example:

The hostess provided lunch for all the guests

Hypernyms (to "cater" is one way to...):

give (transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "cater"):

power (supply the force or power for the functioning of)

gutter (provide with gutters)

fix up (find (something or someone) for)

nourish; nurture; sustain (provide with nourishment)

accommodate (provide with something desired or needed)

shower (provide abundantly with)

horse (provide with a horse or horses)

conform to; fill; fit; fulfil; fulfill; meet; satisfy (fill, satisfy or meet a want or need or condtion ro restriction)

underlay (provide with a base, support, lining, or backing)

gratify; indulge; pander (yield (to); give satisfaction to)

feed (provide as food)

staff (provide with staff)

help; serve (help to some food; help with food or drink)

pander; pimp; procure (arrange for sexual partners for others)

cater (supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets)

dish; dish out; dish up; serve; serve up (provide (usually but not necessarily food))

feed (serve as food for; be the food for)

feed; give (give food to)

board (provide food and lodging (for))

regale; treat (provide with choice or abundant food or drink)

drench (force to drink)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Somebody ----s to somebody

Derivation:

caterer (someone who provides food and service (as for a party))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Supply food ready to eat; for parties and banquets

Classified under:

Verbs of eating and drinking

Hypernyms (to "cater" is one way to...):

cater; ply; provide; supply (give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

caterer (someone who provides food and service (as for a party))

 Context examples 

And, while the pharmaceutical industry is raking in billions by catering to insomniacs, Walker warns that the pills designed to help us doze off are a poor substitute for the natural sleep cycles that the brain needs in order to function well.

(Deep Sleep May Act as Fountain of Youth in Old Age, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)