Here's a breakdown of its main uses:
1. To provide food and drink for an event
This is perhaps the most common and direct meaning of "cater." It refers to the business of providing food and drink for parties, meetings, weddings, etc.
- Example 1 (Verb): "We hired a company to cater our wedding reception." (The company will provide all the food and drinks.)
- Example 2 (Gerund/Noun): "Event catering is a highly competitive business." (The act or industry of providing food for events.)
- Example 3 (Past Participle as Adjective): "The food at the conference was catered by a local restaurant."
- Common Phrasing: "to cater for [number] people," "to cater an event," "catering services."
2. To provide what is needed or wanted by a particular person or group
This meaning extends beyond food to anything that fulfills a specific demand, taste, or requirement. It implies a conscious effort to meet the needs or desires of a target audience.
- Example 1 (Needs/Desires): "The new educational program is designed to cater to students with different learning styles." (It addresses the varying needs of different students.)
- Example 2 (Specific Tastes): "The restaurant aims to cater to a wide range of palates, offering both traditional and modern dishes." (It tries to satisfy diverse taste preferences.)
- Example 3 (Market Segment): "This new smartphone model is specifically designed to cater to the needs of professional photographers." (It's made with professional photographers' requirements in mind.)
- Example 4 (Broad Audience): "The exhibition hopes to cater for all ages, with interactive displays for children and detailed historical information for adults." (It tries to appeal to everyone.)
- Common Phrasing: "to cater to [someone/something]," "to cater for [someone/something]." (Both "to" and "for" are common prepositions here, often interchangeable, but "to" emphasizes direction/target, while "for" emphasizes provision/benefit. "To cater to a need" is very common.)
3. (Less Common/More Formal) To try to please someone by doing what they want, even if it is not reasonable
This usage carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, implying that someone is being overly accommodating or permissive, potentially sacrificing principles or good judgment.
- Example: "Parents should avoid constantly catering to their children's every whim, or they'll become spoiled." (It implies giving in to unreasonable demands.)
- Example: "The company was criticized for catering to the demands of a small, vocal minority rather than doing what was best for the majority."
- Common Phrasing: "to cater to someone's whims/demands," "to cater to [a difficult person/group]."
Key things to remember about "cater":
- Transitive vs. Intransitive:
- When providing food, it can be transitive (e.g., "They cater weddings") or intransitive (e.g., "They cater for weddings").
- When fulfilling needs/desires, it's typically intransitive with a preposition ("cater to" or "cater for").
- Prepositions: The most common prepositions used with "cater" are "to" and "for." While often interchangeable, "to" generally emphasizes the target or recipient of the catering, and "for" emphasizes what is being provided or benefited.
- "We cater to the needs of our customers." (Focus on customers as the target)
- "We cater for large events." (Focus on the events as what is being provided for)
- Pronunciation: /ˈkeɪtər/
By understanding these different nuances, you can use "cater" accurately and effectively in your English communication.
