carefully

[ kair-fuh-lee ]

adverb

1. in a cautious way, with attention to possible risks and dangers:

   Although somewhat "folksy" in his interview, the congressman carefully avoided pitfalls where he would be vulnerable to attack.

2. in a thorough, attentive, or painstaking way, giving thought to avoiding errors or omissions:

   I have to carefully examine the copy editor's marked-up manuscript, double-checking everything and approving or vetoing changes.

Other Words From

• qua·si-care·ful·ly adverb
• ul·tra·care·ful·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of carefully¹

First recorded before 1000; careful ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

Check them carefully because they cannot be changed.

From BBC

Hegseth envisions the military as a safe space for straight white men, where their fantasy of inherent superiority is carefully protected from real-world evidence that other people are strong, smart and capable.

From Salon

Or Peter Thiel's "seasteading" dream of an island nation where he and his buddies could be lordlings, carefully separated from the ordinary people who frighten them.

From Salon

A UK government spokesperson said: "We are determined to ensure that arts and culture are no longer the preserve of a privileged few and are carefully considering how we fund arts organisations across the country to unlock more creative opportunities."

From BBC

England captain Harry Kane's diplomacy skills are almost as carefully crafted to the point of perfection as the marksmanship that has made him his country's all-time record goalscorer.

From BBC

Related Words

• anxiously
• attentively
• conscientiously
• correctly
• deliberately
• delicately
• discreetly
• faithfully
• fully
• gingerly
• laboriously
• meticulously
• precisely
• prudently
• rigorously
• scrupulously
• thoroughly
• thoughtfully
• warily