charge or care crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! If you're tackling the clue "charge or care" and need a helping hand, you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of possible solutions, along with their explanations, to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "charge or care crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
TEND: To look after or care for someone or something, often used in the context of tending to a garden or a child.
5 Letters
NURSE: To care for someone, especially a sick or injured person. It also implies nurturing and helping to develop.
6 Letters
FOSTER: To encourage or promote the development of (something, typically something regarded as good). Also, to care for and encourage the growth or development of a child.
7 Letters
OVERSEE: To supervise (a person or their work), especially in an official capacity. It implies taking charge or responsibility.
9 Letters
SUPERVISE: To observe and direct the execution of a task or activity. This directly relates to taking charge and having responsibility for care.
More About "charge or care crossword clue"
The crossword clue "charge or care" is a classic example of how setters leverage synonyms and subtle semantic overlaps. Both 'charge' and 'care' can imply responsibility, oversight, or nurturing. 'Charge' often suggests a formal duty or authority (e.g., 'in charge of'), while 'care' points more towards attention, looking after, or providing for someone or something.
Understanding this duality is crucial. For instance, if the answer is a verb, it likely refers to the act of performing these duties. If it were a noun, it might refer to the state of being cared for or the responsibility itself. Crossword constructors often rely on these flexible meanings to make clues challenging yet fair, prompting solvers to think beyond the most obvious definitions.
The variety of possible answers, from short and common words like TEND to longer, more formal ones like SUPERVISE, reflects the broad scope of duties that 'charge' and 'care' can encompass. Always cross-reference with other completed letters in your puzzle to narrow down the options.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze Word Length: The number of letters is your most important hint. If you have an intersecting word, it immediately narrows down possibilities for "charge or care."
- Consider the Context: Is the puzzle a themed one? Does the clue appear in a section with other clues related to duties, family, or professions? This can provide a subtle hint to the specific meaning intended.
- Think of Synonyms and Antonyms: If a direct synonym isn't working, try to think of words that are opposite or related in an indirect way, then consider their synonyms. For "charge or care," think about actions related to responsibility, guardianship, or attention.
- Check for Homonyms or Puns: While "charge or care" seems straightforward, some clues can hide puns or homonyms. Be aware if the puzzle has a reputation for such tricks.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'charge or care' mean in a crossword?
In crosswords, 'charge or care' typically refers to the act of taking responsibility for, looking after, or supervising someone or something. It covers a range of actions from simple tending to more formal oversight, depending on the specific answer word.
How many letters can 'charge or care' answers have?
Answers to 'charge or care' can vary widely in length, from short words like 'TEND' (4 letters) to longer ones such as 'SUPERVISE' (9 letters) or 'ADMINISTER' (10 letters), depending on the specific nuance the crossword setter intends.
What's a common mistake when solving clues like 'charge or care'?
A common mistake is focusing too narrowly on just one meaning of 'charge' (e.g., a monetary fee) or 'care' (e.g., emotional concern). It's important to remember the broader meanings that encompass responsibility, oversight, and guardianship, which are often the intended crossword meanings.