adj. 1 painstaking, thorough. 2 cautious. 3 done with care and attention. 4 (usu. foll. by that + clause, or to + infin.) taking care; not neglecting. 5 (foll. by for, of) concerned for; taking care of. carefully adv. carefulness n.
[ OE carful (as CARE, -FUL) ]