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 Word Forms

• quasi-carefully adverb
• ultracarefully adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of carefully¹

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

Example Sentences

But this is exactly the sort of kindness that can make people suspicious in this show, so he'd better tread carefully.

Read more on BBC

The design of the ADU was carefully considered to maximize space and light, with a skylight and high window flooding the space with light.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The workers quietly and carefully tackle each room of the house while the garage has been turned into another cleaning zone where they box salvaged items.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Though she backs the scheme overall, she warns that the cost of a licence would need to be set carefully.

Read more on BBC

The record features a carefully curated list of guest artists, providing backing vocals, or cameos, and this is when you remember that this is a concept piece.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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