adj.
Pronunciation: -f ə l
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: care · ful · ler ; care · ful · lest
Date: before 12th century
1 archaic a : SOLICITOUS , ANXIOUS b : filling with care or solicitude
2 : exercising or taking care
3 a : marked by attentive concern and solicitude b : marked by wary caution or prudence <be very careful with knives> c : marked by painstaking effort to avoid errors or omissions ― often used with of or an infinitive < careful of money> < careful to adjust the machine>
– care · ful · ly \ -f( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– care · ful · ness \ -f ə l-n ə s \ noun
synonyms CAREFUL , METICULOUS , SCRUPULOUS , PUNCTILIOUS mean showing close attention to detail. CAREFUL implies attentiveness and cautiousness in avoiding mistakes <a careful worker>. METICULOUS may imply either commendable extreme carefulness or a hampering finicky caution over small points < meticulous scholarship>. SCRUPULOUS applies to what is proper or fitting or ethical < scrupulous honesty>. PUNCTILIOUS implies minute, even excessive attention to fine points < punctilious observance of ritual>.