cautious in attitude or action; prudent painstaking in one's work; thorough - (usually postpositive; followed by of, in, or about)
solicitous; protective mean or miserly
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
care•ful /ˌkɛrfəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
care•ful•ness, n. [uncountable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- 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.See corresponding entry in Unabridged 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.See corresponding entry in Unabridged meticulous, discerning.
- 2, 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See painstaking.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged conscientious.
- 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged thoughtful, concerned, solicitous, attentive, heedful, regardful.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged –4. careless.
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