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

• ˈcarefulness, noun
• ˈcarefully, adverb

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

“Cultures” Versus “White Girls” As you can probably sense from my scare quotes, you can never be too careful these days.

From The Daily Beast

He had talked to her earlier in the day, him saying, “Baby, be careful.”

From The Daily Beast

Would he have been careful enough to destroy the odd pieces of jute you've left so messily about?

From The Daily Beast

But the president and secretary need to be very careful here.

From The Daily Beast

Thinking of longer journeys to Mars or an asteroid would require careful measurement of conditions.

From The Daily Beast

Madame Ratignolle, more careful of her complexion, had twined a gauze veil about her head.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule, however, even in the case of extreme varieties, a careful examination of the specimen will enable it to be identified.

From Project Gutenberg

Captains Spotstroke and Pool were equally careful; the rest of those present drank freely.

From Project Gutenberg

The question of branches of federal reserve banks has received careful attention during the past year.

From Project Gutenberg

It would make everyone careful, of course, but I fail to see any grievance in that.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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