English · Word Candidate

cater

/ˈkeɪtə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: caters · catered

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To provide, particularly

Verb

Examples

Noe widdowes curse caters a dish of mine.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

To provide — To provide with food, especially for a special occasion as a professional service.

Verb

Examples

I catered for her bat mitzvah.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

To place, set, move, or cut diagonally or rhomboidally.

VerbRegister: UK

Examples

The trees are set checkerwise, and so catred [Latin: partim in quincuncem directis], as looke which way ye wyl, they lye leuel.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Diagonally.

AdverbRegister: UK, US

Examples

Cater and Cater-cornered, diagonal; diagonally. To ‘cut cater’ in the case of velvet, cloth, etc., is... ‘cut on the cross’. Cater-snozzle, to make an angle; to ‘mitre’.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “cater” mean?

To provide, particularly

Is “cater” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.