careful

[kair-fuhl]

adjective

1. cautious in one's actions.

   Be careful when you cross the street.

   Synonyms: circumspect, chary, guarded, watchful
   Antonyms: careless, careless, careless, careless

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

   a careful typist.

   Synonyms: scrupulous, meticulous
   Antonyms: careless, careless, careless, careless

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

   careful research.

   Synonyms: rigorous
   Antonyms: careless, careless, careless, careless

4. solicitously mindful (usually followed by of, about, orin ).

   careful of the rights of others;

   careful about one's behavior;

   careful in speech.

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

Other Word Forms

• carefully adverb
• carefulness noun
• quasi-careful adjective
• ultracareful 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

“Generally, the advice is for folks to be extra careful with anything that can spark a fire.”

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For those who still have assets and income, it’s a question of careful shopping and risk assessment.

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Archer's injury problems and careful management over the past few years have been well documented.

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Investors have to be careful to avoid vulnerable areas within credit even if the overall growth picture looks good, he said.

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“But at these levels, investors need to be very careful about what they own and expectations for what companies are going to be reporting” in a big week for corporate earnings, he said.

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Related Words

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