careful

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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for careful

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
The papers suggest that Hayden was careful not to leave any DNA-laden material.
Rape, Lies & Videotape in Ferguson|Michael Daly|November 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Greetings were courteous and warm, requests were focused, translations were careful.
Pyongyang Primer: Kenneth Bae Comes Home|Kevin Bleyer|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Their entire success depends upon the careful measurement of ingredients, the mixing and the baking.
Mrs. Wilson's Cook Book|Mary A. Wilson
Be careful; make sure she is quite deserted, and straightway examine her hold.
The Quest of the 'Golden Hope'|Percy F. Westerman
"Then I'd advise you to be careful," said Kittie, taking a hurried peep into the oven.
Six Girls|Fannie Belle Irving
But a careful reading of these interesting volumes leaves us in no doubt of the cause of this loneliness.
Some Diversions of a Man of Letters|Edmund William Gosse
While ever careful to refrain from wronging others, we must be no less insistent that we are not wronged ourselves.
The Art of Public Speaking|Dale Carnagey (AKA Dale Carnegie) and J. Berg Esenwein

British Dictionary definitions for careful

careful

/ (ˈkɛəfʊl) /

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 Forms

carefully, 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