carefully
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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 Word Forms
- quasi-carefully adverb
- ultracarefully adverb
Etymology
Origin of carefully
First recorded before 1000; careful ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She held it, as carefully as if it were alive, and watched the needle spin a full circle, until it pointed back up the cliff, back exactly the way she had come.
From Literature
“This is your pass into the Park. Guard it carefully and never, ever, show it to anyone. Very well, ladies. That is all,” says the commander.
From Literature
He said: "Having reflected carefully on the culture and record of the other parties, I believe Advance UK is the political movement that will genuinely allow me to work by the values I campaigned on."
From BBC
He carried a quiet and observant demeanor on set, carefully keeping an eye out for his vehicle.
From Los Angeles Times
Climate Central, a small organization of just 50 people, has had to carefully prioritize which initiatives to restore immediately, and which to let lie dormant for the time being.
From Salon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
