careful
Americanadjective
-
cautious in one's actions.
Be careful when you cross the street.
- Synonyms:
- circumspect, chary, guarded, watchful
-
taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough.
a careful typist.
- Synonyms:
- scrupulous, meticulous
-
(of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution.
careful research.
- Synonyms:
- rigorous
-
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
-
Archaic.
-
full of anxiety or care; troubled.
-
causing or attended with anxiety.
a careful day.
-
adjective
-
cautious in attitude or action; prudent
-
painstaking in one's work; thorough
he wrote very careful script
-
(usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about) solicitous; protective
careful of one's reputation
-
archaic full of care; anxious
-
mean or miserly
Related Words
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.
Other Word Forms
- carefully adverb
- carefulness noun
- quasi-careful adjective
- ultracareful adjective
Etymology
Origin of careful
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful; care, -ful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This is a home issue too. Schools have to be careful about not telling parents what to do but we can encourage them."
From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026
The discovery might have been missed if not for careful attention during excavation.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
“These were very serious allegations, and we are grateful to the Court for its careful review of the facts, law and voluminous evidence,” they added.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
“After careful consideration of Oracle’s current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role,” an email to one affected employee says.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
This was her experiment: careful, earnest, painfully homemade.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
