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.
For decades, the dominance of Delaware’s courts in the business world rested on their predictability, speed, and a carefully maintained balance.
From Barron's
Finally, review your credit card and bank statements carefully.
From MarketWatch
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
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.
