careful

careful
carefully, adv.carefulness, n.
/kair'feuhl/, adj.
1. cautious in one's actions: Be careful when you cross the street.
2. taking pains in one's work; exact; thorough: a careful typist.
3. (of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution: careful research.
4. solicitously mindful (usually fol. by of, about, or in): careful of the rights of others; careful about one's behavior; careful in speech.
5. Archaic.
a. troubled.
b. attended with anxiety.
[bef. 1000; ME; OE carful, cearful. See CARE, -FUL]
Syn. 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.
Ant. 1-4. careless.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • careful — 1 solicitous, anxious, worried, concerned (see under CARE n) Analogous words: disquieted, perturbed, discomposed, disturbed, upset (see DISCOMPOSE): troubled, distressed (see TROUBLE vb): *watchful, vigilant, alert 2 Careful, meticulous,… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Careful — Care ful (k[^a]r f[.u]l), a. [AS. cearful.] 1. Full of care; anxious; solicitous. [Archaic] [1913 Webster] Be careful [Rev. Ver. anxious ] for nothing. Phil. iv. 6. [1913 Webster] The careful plowman doubting stands. Milton. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • careful — [ker′fəl] adj. [ME & OE: see CARE & FUL] 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 …   English World dictionary

  • Careful — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda «Careful» Sencillo de Paramore del álbum Brand New Eyes Género(s) Punk pop y Rock Alternativo Duración 3:51 …   Wikipedia Español

  • careful — I adjective accuratus, alert, attentive, attentus, cautious, circumspect, concerned, diligens, discreet, foresighted, guarded, heedful, judicious, meticulous, mindful, on one s guard, on the alert, overcautious, painstaking, precautious,… …   Law dictionary

  • careful — ► ADJECTIVE 1) taking care to avoid mishap or harm; cautious. 2) (careful with) prudent in the use of. 3) done with or showing thought and attention. DERIVATIVES carefully adverb carefulness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • careful — O.E. cearful mournful, sad, also full of care or woe; anxious; full of concern (for someone or something), thus applying attention, painstaking, circumspect; from CARE (Cf. care) (n.) + FUL (Cf. ful). Related: Carefully (O.E. carful lice) …   Etymology dictionary

  • careful — [adj] cautious; painstaking accurate, alert, apprehensive, assiduous, attentive, chary, choosy, circumspect, concerned, conscientious, conservative, cool, deliberate, discreet, exacting, fastidious, finicky, fussy, going to great lengths*,… …   New thesaurus

  • careful */*/*/ — UK [ˈkeə(r)f(ə)l] / US [ˈkerf(ə)l] adjective 1) if someone is careful, they think about what they are doing so that they do not do anything wrong or so that they avoid problems Teachers have to be careful when criticizing pupils. Even the most… …   English dictionary

  • careful — care|ful [ kerfl ] adjective *** 1. ) if someone is careful, they think about what they are doing so that they do not do anything wrong or so that they avoid problems: Teachers have to be careful when criticizing pupils. Even the most careful… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • careful — care|ful W2S1 [ˈkeəfəl US ˈker ] adj 1.) (be) careful! spoken used to tell someone to think about what they are doing so that something bad does not happen ▪ Be careful there s broken glass on the floor! 2.) trying very hard to avoid doing… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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