If you are careful, you give serious attention to what you are doing, in order to avoid harm, damage, or mistakes. If you are carefulto do something, you make sure that you do it.
Be very careful with this stuff, it can be dangerous if it isn't handled properly.
Careful on those stairs! [+ on]
We had to be very careful not to be seen.
Pupils will need careful guidance on their choice of options.
carefullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
Have a nice time, dear, and drive carefully.
He had chosen his words carefully in declaring that the murderers were madmen.
2. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
Careful work, thought, or examination is thorough and shows a concern for details.
He has decided to prosecute her after careful consideration of all the relevant facts.
What we now know about the disease was learned by careful study of diseased organs.
Synonyms: thorough, full, particular, accurate More Synonyms of careful
carefullyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
...a vast series of deliberate and carefully planned thefts.
He explained very carefully what he was doing.
3. adjective
If you tell someone to be careful about doing something, you think that what they intend to do is probably wrong, and that they should think seriously before they do it.
I think you should be careful about talking of the rebels as heroes. [+ about/of]
It is important, I think, for everyone to be careful about claiming victory.
carefullyadverb [ADVERB after verb]
He should think carefully about actions like this which play into the hands of hisopponents.
4. adjective
If you are carefulwith something such as money or resources, you use or spend only what is necessary.
You will have to make a special effort to train your child to be careful with herpocket-money.
It would force industries to be more careful with natural resources. [+ with]
Synonyms: prudent, sparing, economical, canny More Synonyms of careful
5.
See you can't be too careful
More Synonyms of careful
careful in British English
(ˈkɛəfʊl)
adjective
1.
cautious in attitude or action; prudent
2.
painstaking in one's work; thorough
he wrote very careful script
3. (usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about)
solicitous; protective
careful of one's reputation
4. archaic
full of care; anxious
5. British
mean or miserly
Derived forms
carefully (ˈcarefully)
adverb
carefulness (ˈcarefulness)
noun
careful in American English
(ˈkɛrfəl)
adjective
1.
acting or working in a thoughtful, painstaking way
2.
cautious, wary, or guarded
a careful reply
3.
accurately or thoroughly done or made; painstaking
a careful analysis
4. Archaic
feeling or causing sorrow, worry, etc.; anxious
SYNONYMY NOTE: careful implies close attention to or great concern for whatever is one's work or responsibility,and usually connotes thoroughness, a guarding against error or injury, etc.; , meticulous implies extreme, sometimes finicky, carefulness about details; , scrupulous implies a conscientious adherence to what is considered right, true, accurate, etc.;, circumspect implies a careful consideration of all circumstances to avoid error or unfavorableconsequences; , cautious implies a careful guarding against possible dangers or risks; , prudent implies the exercise of both caution and circumspection, suggesting careful managementin economic and practical matters; , discreet implies the exercise of discernment and judgment in the guidance of one's speechand action and suggests careful restraint; , wary implies a cautiousness that is prompted by suspicion
OPPOSITES: careless, negligent, lax
Derived forms
carefully (ˈcarefully)
adverb
carefulness (ˈcarefulness)
noun
Word origin
ME & OE: see care & -ful
Examples of 'careful' in a sentence
careful
But he has to be a little more careful about how he reacts.
The Sun (2016)
Exactly what form this should take needs careful consideration.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All kinds of people are keen to share secrets with you - this needs careful handling.
The Sun (2016)
Some areas will need careful thought ; tax is a case in point.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If we are not careful we'll make the game worse not better.
The Sun (2017)
I'm careful to avoid that feeling now.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Any hair transplant is a serious procedure and requires careful thought and consideration, especially taking into account the fact that it offers permanent results.
The Sun (2016)
One warns:'They have to be a bit careful about how they handle these figures.
The Sun (2017)
We must be careful about the rhetoric and the reality.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Your success can stir jealousy and this needs careful handling.
The Sun (2006)
Your clubs are expensive items and need careful care and attention.
Lewis, Beverly Winning Golf for Women (1993)
The doctors have got to be careful not to damage the eyesight.
The Sun (2008)
Tree planting in a public park requires careful thought.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
Judges already give careful guidance to juries when relying on memory.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The impact on employers needs careful examination.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The police need to be careful who they are arresting.
The Sun (2011)
Very careful consideration is taken by our members when doing their job in administering the law.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Then you can pick the best one and add the careful planning to make it work.
The Sun (2012)
You also know who you can rely on and who will need careful handling.
The Sun (2008)
They must also be careful to avoid the risk of contamination.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In most cases a careful attention to diet will lead to a reduction in weight.
Siann, Gerda & Ugwuegbu, Denis C. E. Educational Psychology in a Changing World (1988)
The surroundings of a pool need careful thought.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
Common sense tells you her claims need careful examination.
The Sun (2012)
The flesh is fragile and needs careful cooking.
Smith, Drew Food Watch (1994)
While some will regain their composure swiftly, certain individuals will require both patience and careful guidance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
Softly, softly, catchee monkey
In other languages
careful
British English: careful /ˈkɛəfʊl/ ADJECTIVE
If you are careful, you pay attention to what you are doing in order to avoid damage or mistakes.
Be very careful with this stuff: it can be dangerous.