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.
Seeing how dangerous it is, I have to consider my future carefully.
Confirming the condition is also challenging because the gold-standard diagnostic approach requires carefully supervised blood alcohol testing, which is not easily accessible in many settings.
From Science Daily
How far is too far and … how many of her carefully fostered beliefs … will survive the journey through the Wasteland?”
From Los Angeles Times
"This is a slow process as it's a vast network of pipes which need to be carefully filled to avoid creating bursts which would delay restoration," Dean said.
From BBC
I twisted my hair into a low knot, then carefully climbed back aboard the train and stepped down the aisle.
From Literature
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.
