cater

Everyday

1. To provide food and drinks for an event, such as a party or wedding. tree →
2. To cater for (UK) / to (US): to provide what a group of people needs or wants. tree →
3. To cater to: to try too hard to please someone. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: who caters the party, school catering. In formal exam language: «the club caters for children aged 5 to 12». Phrases: cater for, cater to, catering company, self-catering (you cook for yourself).

Examples

• A local bakery catered the birthday party. tree →
• The camp caters for children of all ages. tree →
• The menu caters to vegetarians too. tree →
• We stayed in a self-catering cottage. tree →
• The hotel can cater for 200 guests. tree →
• Mum works in catering at the hospital. tree →

Note

UK prefers «cater for», US prefers «cater to». In maths problems, «a company caters for 50 guests at 10 dollars each» means multiply. Do not confuse with «caterpillar».