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.
-
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.
It is to make sure that a technology with the potential to transform healthcare is introduced carefully and responsibly.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 4, 2026
For his part, Talarico carefully embraced Musk as a foil.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
Samantha has appealed to other parents to carefully check any remaining children's Halloween sweets, urging them to be vigilant and look out for anything unusual.
From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026
But besides pleasantries, both measured their words carefully about the cooperation between Ukraine and Russia during the Oleshky truce, and beyond.
From Barron's ● Nov. 3, 2026
Cameron finished his meal, cleaned his fingers with a napkin carefully.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
