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

Many must gather secretly, careful not to arrive all at once or sing too loudly, lest mobs or police hear about it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If Liverpool aren't careful, we could be headed for relegation this season.

Read more on BBC

While it has been directed with careful attention to shaping its emotional arc by Tim Jackson, “Two Strangers” might have amplified its charms with a few snips of the scissors.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And Bower promises we’ll see more of the wolf come out as the season progresses, though he’s careful not to reveal too much.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Those who watch are careful about spoilers, often refusing to discuss the show with anyone who hasn’t seen it yet.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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