Provide for: meaning, definitions and examples

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provide for

 

[ prəˈvaɪd fɔːr ]

Phrasal verb
Context #1 | Phrasal verb

legal

To make provisions or arrangements for something. This can include allocating resources, setting aside funds, or establishing a plan for the future.

Synonyms

arrange, plan, prepare.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
provide for

Used when talking about ensuring someone or something has what is needed for survival or maintenance. Often used in legal, financial, or familial contexts.

  • He works hard to provide for his family.
  • The contract includes clauses that provide for employee benefits.
arrange

Used when discussing the organization or setup of items, events, or activities in a specific order or format. It is more about the process of putting things in a particular order.

  • She arranged the books neatly on the shelf.
  • We need to arrange a meeting with the client.
plan

Used when outlining details in advance, often for events, projects, or actions. It involves thinking ahead and making decisions about the future.

  • We need to plan our vacation carefully.
  • He plans to start his own business next year.
prepare

Used when making something or someone ready for a particular purpose or event. It often involves taking concrete steps or actions beforehand.

  • She is preparing dinner for the guests.
  • He spent the whole night preparing for the exam.

Examples of usage

  • The company must provide for the needs of its employees in the new budget.
  • The contract provides for a penalty for late delivery.
Context #2 | Phrasal verb

financial

To save or budget for future expenses. This can involve putting money aside for a specific purpose or anticipating future financial needs.

Synonyms

allocate for, save for, set aside for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
provide for

Used to describe taking care of someone’s needs or supplying necessities, especially in a familial or caregiving context.

  • He works hard to provide for his family
  • The parents made sure to provide for their children's education
save for

Commonly used when discussing setting aside money or resources for future use, often in personal finance situations.

  • She is saving for a new car
  • It’s important to save for retirement
allocate for

Appropriate in formal or business contexts where budgeting or resource distribution is being discussed.

  • The company decided to allocate funds for the new project
  • We need to allocate time for training sessions
set aside for

Applicable when referring to reserving something, typically in terms of money, time, or resources, for a specific purpose in both personal and professional contexts.

  • We are going to set aside some money for the vacation
  • He set aside time each day for exercise

Examples of usage

  • We need to provide for unexpected expenses in our monthly budget.
  • It's important to provide for retirement savings early in your career.

Translations

Translations of the word "provide for" in other languages:

🇵🇹 prover

🇮🇳 प्रदान करना

🇩🇪 versorgen

🇮🇩 menyediakan

🇺🇦 забезпечувати

🇵🇱 zapewnić

🇯🇵 提供する (teikyō suru)

🇫🇷 fournir

🇪🇸 proveer

🇹🇷 sağlamak

🇰🇷 제공하다 (jegonghada)

🇸🇦 يوفر (yuwaffir)

🇨🇿 poskytnout

🇸🇰 zabezpečiť

🇨🇳 提供 (tígōng)

🇸🇮 zagotoviti

🇮🇸 veita

🇰🇿 қамтамасыз ету

🇬🇪 უზრუნველყოფა (uzrunvelqopa)

🇦🇿 təmin etmək

🇲🇽 proveer

Etymology

The term 'provide for' has its origins in Middle English, where 'provide' meant 'to take measures beforehand' and 'for' indicated the purpose or benefit. Over time, the phrase evolved to encompass various aspects of making arrangements or preparations for different needs, such as legal, financial, or personal provisions.