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.
Remember its carefully telegraphed missile strikes after previous scuffles, easily shot down by the U.S. and its allies.
Some of the imagery seen by Ferreira’s character is genuine content culled from online, carefully trimmed.
From Los Angeles Times
The two women used their own eggs and carefully chose one anonymous, healthy sperm donor.
From BBC
As for new nuclear reactors, investors would rather Constellation tread carefully, Zimbardo notes.
From Barron's
The proposal aims to shield plans from Erisa liability, if they carefully consider a private manager’s performance, fees, liquidity, and valuation practices.
From Barron's
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.