careful

[ kair-fuhl ]

adjective

1. cautious in one's actions:

   Be careful when you cross the street.

   Synonyms: circumspect, chary, guarded, watchful

   Antonyms: careless

2. taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough:

   a careful typist.

   Synonyms: scrupulous, meticulous

   Antonyms: careless

3. (of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution:

   careful research.

   Synonyms: rigorous

   Antonyms: careless

4. solicitously mindful (usually followed by of, about, or in ):

   careful of the rights of others;

   careful about one's behavior;

   careful in speech.

   Synonyms: regardful, heedful, attentive, solicitous, concerned, thoughtful

   Antonyms: careless

5. Archaic.
   1. full of anxiety or care; troubled.
   2. causing or attended with anxiety:

      a careful day.

careful

/ ˈkɛəfʊl /

adjective

1. cautious in attitude or action; prudent
2. painstaking in one's work; thorough

   he wrote very careful script

3. usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about solicitous; protective

   careful of one's reputation

4. archaic.
   full of care; anxious
5. mean or miserly

Derived Forms

• ˈcarefully, adverb
• ˈcarefulness, noun

Other Words From

• care·ful·ly adverb
• care·ful·ness noun
• qua·si-care·ful adjective
• ul·tra·care·ful adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of careful¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful; care, -ful

Synonym Study

Careful, cautious, discreet, wary imply a watchful guarding against something. Careful implies guarding against mistakes, by paying strict and close attention to details, and, often, trying to use good judgment: He was careful to distinguish between them. Cautious implies a fear of some unfavorable situation and investigation before coming to conclusions: cautious about investments. Discreet implies being prudent in speech and action and being trustworthy as a confidant: discreet in manner, in keeping secrets. Wary implies a vigilant lookout for a danger suspected or feared: wary of polite strangers. See painstaking.

Example Sentences

After careful evaluation of the extensive data, the results are now available: they provide detailed information on changes in the morphology and structure of the material, but also on chemical processes during discharge.

From Science Daily

A daily nap and careful budgeting of my time and effort help with the fatigue.

From BBC

A BBC spokesperson said "robust safeguarding policies are in place" regarding site visits and careful consideration would be given to any concerns.

From BBC

"I warned them. 'Guys, be careful with those long-range missiles,'" Mr Lukashenko told me.

From BBC

Kane said such a culture "takes a long time to build and maybe not so long to lose if you're not careful".

From BBC

Related Words

• accurate
• attentive
• choosy
• circumspect
• concerned
• conscientious
• deliberate
• discreet
• judicious
• leery
• meticulous
• mindful
• precise
• prudent
• rigorous
• scrupulous
• sober
• thorough
• thoughtful
• vigilant