cater to — to provide what is wanted or needed by someone or something
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to provide what is wanted or needed by someone or something
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkeɪtər tuː/
Example Sentences
- The hotel caters to business travelers with 24-hour room service and free WiFi.
- My mom's cooking always caters to everyone's dietary restrictions, even my pet hamster's.
- The new shopping mall caters to young people with trendy brands and gaming zones.
cater to
VERB[/ˈkeɪtər tuː/]
to provide what is wanted or needed by someone or something
The restaurant caters to families with young children.
The company caters to customers who love healthy food. (🍽️ Serve + 😊 Meet Needs → Cater to)
The waiter catered to every table, creating greater customer satisfaction.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Cater derives from 16th-century French 'acater' (to purchase or buy), originally referring to provisioning food for banquets and formal entertainments. The meaning gradually broadened to encompass the general provision of services tailored to meet specific demands or preferences.
Breakdown
French 'acater' (to purchase) → English 'cater' (to provide services). The prefix 'a-' (to) combines with 'cater' (from Latin 'cateri', to buy), shifting from the specific act of purchasing provisions to the broader sense of attending to or satisfying requirements.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The hotel caters to business travelers with 24-hour room service and free WiFi.”
“My mom's cooking always caters to everyone's dietary restrictions, even my pet hamster's.”
“The new shopping mall caters to young people with trendy brands and gaming zones.”
“This dating app caters to people who are obsessed with their pets - finally, a place for crazy cat ladies!”
📚Related Words
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