WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
care•ful /ˌkɛrfəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
care•ful•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- cautious in one's actions:a careful driver.[be + ~ + to + verb]He was careful not to get her mad.
- (used as a command) watch out;
be cautious:Careful! It's going to break! - done or performed with accuracy or caution;
taking pains in one's work: He was a careful typist.
care•ful•ness, n. [uncountable]
care•ful
(kâr′fəl),USA pronunciation adj.
care′ful•ly, adv.
care′ful•ness, n.
- cautious in one's actions:Be careful when you cross the street.
- taking pains in one's work;
exact;
thorough:a careful typist. - (of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution:careful research.
- solicitously mindful (usually fol. by of, about, or in):careful of the rights of others;careful about one's behavior;careful in speech.
- [Archaic.]
- troubled.
- attended with anxiety.
- bef. 1000; Middle English; Old English carful, cearful. See care, -ful
care′ful•ness, n.
- 1. watchful, guarded, chary, circumspect. Careful, cautious, discreet, wary imply a watchful guarding against something. Careful implies guarding against mistakes, by paying strict and close attention to details, and, often, trying to use good judgment:He was careful to distinguish between them.Cautious implies a fear of some unfavorable situation and investigation before coming to conclusions:cautious about investments.Discreet implies being prudent in speech and action and being trustworthy as a confidant:discreet in manner, in keeping secrets.Wary implies a vigilant lookout for a danger suspected or feared:wary of polite strangers. 2. meticulous, discerning. 2. 3. See painstaking. 3. conscientious. 4. thoughtful, concerned, solicitous, attentive, heedful, regardful.
- 1. –4. careless.
'carefully' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
attentive
- bouquet
- case
- charily
- chew over
- choice
- coax
- comb out
- consider
- considerate
- counterpoise
- deep-laid
- deliberate
- deposit
- descry
- ear
- easy
- examine
- eye
- follow
- glean
- grub
- inadvertent
- in-depth
- measured
- navigate
- nose
- note
- nurse
- observe
- outfit
- overhaul
- overlook
- perspective
- pick
- place
- preen
- rake
- rein
- scrutinize
- selective
- signalize
- step
- studied
- survey
- think
- thorough
- tightknit
- traverse
- turn over