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.
It’s a good thing you looked over your return carefully when your preparer sent it back to you.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026
By carefully adjusting the chemical environment, they use water to change the surface chemistry of the material.
From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026
The two women used their own eggs and carefully chose one anonymous, healthy sperm donor.
From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026
Remember its carefully telegraphed missile strikes after previous scuffles, easily shot down by the U.S. and its allies.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
Clare climbed the creaking stairs, treading carefully to avoid the places where the wood had rotted through.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
