Careful | Definition of careful by Merriam-Webster

Full Definition of CAREFUL

1

archaic

a : solicitous, anxious

b : filling with care or solicitude

2

: exercising or taking care

3

a : marked by attentive concern and solicitude

b : marked by wary caution or prudence <be very careful with knives>

c : marked by painstaking effort to avoid errors or omissions —often used with of or an infinitive <careful of money> <careful to adjust the machine>

— care·ful·ly \-f(ə-)lē\ adverb

— care·ful·ness \-fəl-nəs\ noun

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See careful defined for kids

First Known Use of CAREFUL

before 12th century

Related to CAREFUL

Synonyms: alert, cautious, chary, circumspect, conservative, considerate, gingerly, guarded, heedful, safe, wary

Antonyms: careless, heedless, incautious, unguarded, unmindful, unsafe, unwary

Synonym Discussion of CAREFUL

careful, meticulous, scrupulous, punctilious mean showing close attention to detail. careful implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes <a careful worker>. meticulous may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points <meticulous scholarship>. scrupulous applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical <scrupulous honesty>. punctilious implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points <punctilious observance of ritual>.

Definition of CAREFUL for Kids

1

: using care <a careful driver>

2

: made, done, or said with care <careful planning> <She gave a careful answer.>

— care·ful·ly \-fə-lē\ adverb

Synonym Discussion of CAREFUL

careful and cautious mean taking care to avoid trouble. careful is used for a person who is able to prevent mistakes or accidents by being alert. <Be careful when you paint the fence.> cautious is used for a person who takes care to avoid further problems or difficulties. <A cautious driver will drive slowly in bad weather.>

Learn More About CAREFUL

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "careful"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "careful"

Nglish: Translation of "careful" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "careful" for Arabic speakers

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