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

• ˈcarefully, adverb
• ˈcarefulness, noun

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

"We have to be careful, we have to manage the load and minute in the beginning but I am really excited to see Leny Yoro playing."

From BBC

Speaking to the Sunday Times, her mother Sue White urged those travelling abroad: "Please be careful when it comes to drinks."

From BBC

But you have to be very careful what you say in England.

From BBC

Phil Steele, future technologies evangelist at Octopus Energy, agrees: “You have got to be careful.”

From BBC

Khalife's contact in Iran, "David Smith", urged him to be careful, writing on Telegram: “We can work together a lot of years.”

From BBC

Related Words

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