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Meaning & use

caters to

phrase·Everyday

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UK/ˈkeɪtəz tuː/
US/ˈkeɪtərz tuː/

Meanings

  1. phrasetransitive

    To provide what a particular group of people want or need, often in a way that others might disapprove of.

    Grammar: Takes an object: cater to someone/something. The object usually comes after 'to'.

    Patterns

    • cater to someone
    • cater to a need
    • cater to a taste

    The hotel caters to business travelers with fast Wi-Fi and quiet rooms.

    Some newspapers cater to readers who want gossip and scandal.

    The restaurant caters to vegetarians with a separate menu.

  2. phrasetransitivedisapproving

    To satisfy someone's wishes or demands, especially when this is seen as too generous or unwise.

    Grammar: Often used in a disapproving way: cater to someone's every whim.

    Patterns

    • cater to someone's wishes
    • cater to someone's every whim
    • cater to the rich

    The government is accused of catering to big companies.

    He caters to his children's every demand, which spoils them.

    The policy seems designed to cater to a small elite.

Common combinations

cater to a need
The new app caters to a growing need for online tutoring.
cater to tourists
Many shops in the old town cater to tourists.
cater to every taste
The buffet caters to every taste, from spicy to sweet.
cater to the masses
The TV show caters to the masses with simple humor.

Synonyms and how they differ

serve
Serve is more neutral and broad; cater to often implies giving people exactly what they want, sometimes too much.
pander to
Pander to is stronger and always disapproving; it suggests lowering standards to please people.
accommodate
Accommodate means to make changes to suit someone; it is more formal and less critical than cater to.

Opposites

ignoreneglect

Word family

cater verb
To provide food and drink for an event, or to provide what is needed.
caterer noun
A person or company that provides food for events.
catering noun
The business of providing food and drink for events.

Commonly confused: caters to or cater for?

caters to vs cater for

Cater for is more common in British English and often means 'provide food or services for'. Cater to is used more in American English for 'provide what someone wants'.

Practice

Choose the correct preposition: The magazine ______ young readers who love fashion.

Make it your own

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