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

"At times like this, I would ask that everyone is careful to avoid speculation online."

Read more on BBC

These days, she is particularly careful if she feels her body needs a break.

Read more on BBC

The SNP also needs to be careful about pushing independence too hard.

Read more on BBC

What they don’t typically include is warnings from outsiders as to how we got here, why we shouldn’t have, and where we’re likely to wind up if we’re not careful.

Read more on Barron's

“We learned the hard way to be careful, there’s been a lot of false hope in the past,” said Rotem Cooper, whose parents were both kidnapped by Hamas from their kibbutz of Nir Oz.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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