carefully
Americanadverb
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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.
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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
Etymology
Origin of carefully
First recorded before 1000; careful ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Explanation
Carefully means cautiously or painstakingly. If you carefully study your vocabulary words, you'll ace your next quiz! This adverb comes from the Old English carfullice — but before coming to mean "in a way that avoids harm," it meant "sorrowfully." In fact, the very oldest meaning of care was "to be anxious or to grieve." These days, you don't cry when you do something carefully. You just take your time and make sure you're doing it right and that no one's being harmed by it, like when you check carefully behind your car for the neighbor's cat before you back out of the driveway.
Vocabulary lists containing carefully
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.
“Kevin Sun I.” captures the flow of his band in performance yet achieves its most memorable aspects through carefully wrought post-production.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Instead, she said, governments should "look very carefully into the measures they're putting in place" and "sharpen the targeting of this support".
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Their findings suggest that carefully chosen enzymes might someday be used to alter the makeup of dental plaque and help maintain a healthier balance of microorganisms.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 7, 2026
A lawyer for the Alternative A5 Alliance, an umbrella body of landowners, farmers and supporters who oppose the road upgrade, said his clients would "carefully consider today's judgement".
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
‘Maybe,’ said the Walker, removing a bone from his mouth and stowing it carefully inside his cape.
From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver
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.
