careful

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 proofreader will miss the occasional error.
careful who/what/how: You must be careful who you accept a lift from.
careful (that): Be careful that the medicine is kept away from children.
careful about: People should be more careful about the things they say.
be careful to do something: She was careful to keep her records up to date.
a ) trying hard not to cause harm or damage:
careful with: Please be very careful with those plates!
b ) used about someone's actions:
The project needs careful planning.
After careful consideration, we are giving the prize to a children's book.
She took a few careful steps into the water.
2. ) spending money only when it is necessary:
We're going to have to be more careful now that Dad's lost his job.
be careful with (your) money: She's always been careful with money.
a ) used humorously about someone who is not as generous with money as they should be
(be) careful SPOKEN
used for telling someone to pay attention, for example in order to avoid an accident:
There's some ice there be careful!
Careful, Peter! You'll fall!
if someone isn't careful SPOKEN
used for warning or threatening someone:
If you're not careful, you'll break it.
you can't be too careful SPOKEN
used for saying that it is important not to take risks
╾ care|ful|ly adverb:
a carefully worded letter
He washed the antique plates very carefully.

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 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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