carefully
Americanadverb
-
in a cautious way, with attention to possible risks and dangers.
Although somewhat "folksy" in his interview, the congressman carefully avoided pitfalls where he would be vulnerable to attack.
-
in a thorough, attentive, or painstaking way, giving thought to avoiding errors or omissions.
I have to carefully examine the copy editor's marked-up manuscript, double-checking everything and approving or vetoing changes.
Other Word Forms
- quasi-carefully adverb
- ultracarefully adverb
Etymology
Origin of carefully
First recorded before 1000; careful ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
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.
The spaceship will actually swing around the Moon without entering its orbit by following a carefully planned trajectory.
From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026
“I’m going to choose my words carefully here,” he said.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
The site was almost entirely excavated and carefully recorded using modern archaeological techniques, preserving a clear picture of its original layout.
From Science Daily • Apr. 5, 2026
His costumes were carefully assembled and sometimes improvised.
From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026
Then the bird closest to the berries in each row would take a berry carefully and hold it out to the bird next to him in his beak.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
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.
