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

“We have to be really careful when we start just using random antiviral drugs that haven’t been studied for safety in cats, because they are so likely to get bad side effects.”

From Los Angeles Times

AppleTV+ said this week that it would postpone the forthcoming drama "after careful consideration".

From BBC

It says when reports come in it is "careful not to underestimate the seriousness of an incident report".

From BBC

Judge Lynch said his decision came after careful consideration.

From BBC

“Please be careful. You are not speaking to me anywhere unless I message you back from my Instagram @1steveburton.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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