careful
Americanadjective
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cautious in one's actions.
Be careful when you cross the street.
- Synonyms:
- circumspect, chary, guarded, watchful
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taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough.
a careful typist.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulous, meticulous
-
(of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution.
careful research.
- Synonyms:
- rigorous
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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
-
Archaic.
-
full of anxiety or care; troubled.
-
causing or attended with anxiety.
a careful day.
-
adjective
-
cautious in attitude or action; prudent
-
painstaking in one's work; thorough
he wrote very careful script
-
(usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about) solicitous; protective
careful of one's reputation
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archaic full of care; anxious
-
mean or miserly
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- carefully adverb
- carefulness noun
- quasi-careful adjective
- ultracareful adjective
Etymology
Origin of careful
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful; care, -ful
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.
This time around, analysts have been much more careful about embracing a darker outlook.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026
While the offer is nonbinding and might well fail, its cash-and-stock component, revised governance and capital-allocation policy and a more careful merger-and-acquisition strategy will be reviewed by shareholders, according to ING.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
After two years of careful preparation, licensing and habitat creation, the beavers were released into a purpose-built enclosure at the estate.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
While the sector still faces headwinds, selective stocks are trading at levels suggesting a measured rebound could be underway—making careful stock-picking more important than ever.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
“That is the curse. They do not leave us alone. So we are going to be very careful, so that we both grow nice and old, yes?”
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
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.
