cater

noun

(music) A method of ringing nine bells in four pairs with a ninth tenor bell.

A surname originating as an occupation.

(obsolete) Synonym of caterer: any provider of food.

(figurative, obsolete) Synonym of purveyor: any provider of anything.

(obsolete) Synonym of acater: an officer who purchased cates (food supplies) for the steward of a large household or estate.

(rare, obsolete) Four.

(card games, dice games, obsolete) The four of cards or dice.

verb

(ambitransitive) To provide with food, especially for a special occasion as a professional service.

To provide, particularly:

(intransitive, figurative, with 'to') To provide anything required or desired, often (derogatory) to pander.

(intransitive, figurative, with 'for') To tailor something to an intended audience.

(UK dialect) To place, set, move, or cut diagonally or rhomboidally.

adverb

(UK dialect, US) Diagonally.

Roots

acatercater- · French · to buy provisions

Synonyms for cater

providev purveyv servev pamperv

Synonyms & related words for cater

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Words related to cater

Explore words related to cater — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include accommodate, supply, caterers, satisfy, satiate, serviced, tailored, suited. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for cater

Common synonyms for cater include provide, purvey, serve, pamper — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does cater come from?

The word cater breaks down into one root of French origin: the root cater-, from French acater (“to buy provisions”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.