careful

[kair-fuh l]

See more synonyms for careful on Thesaurus.com

adjective

cautious in one's actions: Be careful when you cross the street.
taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough: a careful typist.
(of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution: careful research.

solicitously mindful (usually followed by of, about, or in): careful of the rights of others; careful about one's behavior; careful in speech.
Archaic.
1. full of anxiety or care; troubled.
2. causing or attended with anxiety: a careful day.

Origin of careful

before 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful. See care, -ful

Related formscare·ful·ly, adverbcare·ful·ness, nounqua·si-care·ful, adjectivequa·si-care·ful·ly, adverbul·tra·care·ful, adjectiveul·tra·care·ful·ly, adverb

Synonyms

See more synonyms for careful on Thesaurus.com

1. watchful, guarded, chary, circumspect. 2. meticulous, discerning. 3. conscientious. 4. thoughtful, concerned, solicitous, attentive, heedful, regardful.

Synonym study

1. 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. 2, 3. See painstaking.

Antonyms

1–4. careless.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for careful

Contemporary Examples

“Cultures” Versus “White Girls” As you can probably sense from my scare quotes, you can never be too careful these days.
Solange Smacks Jay Z, Legolas Slaps Bieber, and the Biggest Celebrity Feuds of the Year
Amy Zimmerman
December 24, 2014
He had talked to her earlier in the day, him saying, “Baby, be careful.”
'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops
Michael Daly
December 22, 2014
Would he have been careful enough to destroy the odd pieces of jute you've left so messily about?
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
So what I always tell the kids is to be careful about signing to a label and always protect your copyright.
Wyclef Jean Talks Lauryn Hill, the Yele Haiti Controversy, and Chris Christie
Marlow Stern
November 20, 2014
The papers suggest that Hayden was careful not to leave any DNA-laden material.
Rape, Lies & Videotape in Ferguson
Michael Daly
November 18, 2014

Historical Examples

This is a record and result that no careful student of our history will, I take it, deny.
'Tis Sixty Years Since
Charles Francis Adams
Andy chose the careful insult which he would throw in Buck's face.
Way of the Lawless
Max Brand
I think we should be careful of our judgment as to when that state has been reached.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
But he saw Hester look anxious; and that was enough to put him on his careful honour.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
They were so careful that for many days they continued undiscovered.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for careful

careful

adjective

cautious in attitude or action; prudent
painstaking in one's work; thoroughhe wrote very careful script
(usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about) solicitous; protectivecareful of one's reputation
archaic full of care; anxious
British mean or miserly

Derived Formscarefully, adverbcarefulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for careful

adj.

Old English cearful "mournful, sad," also "full of care or woe; anxious; full of concern" (for someone or something), thus "applying attention, painstaking, circumspect;" from care (n.) + -ful.

careful

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}careful

Synonyms

Synonym study

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for careful

Contemporary Examples

“Cultures” Versus “White Girls” As you can probably sense from my scare quotes, you can never be too careful these days.

He had talked to her earlier in the day, him saying, “Baby, be careful.”

Would he have been careful enough to destroy the odd pieces of jute you've left so messily about?

So what I always tell the kids is to be careful about signing to a label and always protect your copyright.

The papers suggest that Hayden was careful not to leave any DNA-laden material.

Historical Examples

This is a record and result that no careful student of our history will, I take it, deny.

Andy chose the careful insult which he would throw in Buck's face.

I think we should be careful of our judgment as to when that state has been reached.

But he saw Hester look anxious; and that was enough to put him on his careful honour.

They were so careful that for many days they continued undiscovered.

careful

Word Origin and History for careful

adj.

Origin of careful