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careful - 3 dictionary results

care⋅ful

[kair-fuhl]
–adjective
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.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME; OE carful, cearful. See care, -ful


care⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
care⋅ful⋅ness, noun


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.


1–4. careless.
care·ful   (kâr'fəl)   
adj.  
  1. Attentive to potential danger, error, or harm; cautious: was careful when crossing the busy street; gave a careful answer.
  2. Thorough and painstaking in action or execution; conscientious: a careful search; careful art restorers.
  3. Protective; solicitous: Be careful of his feelings.
  4. Full of cares or anxiety: "Thou art careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41).
care'ful·ly adv., care'ful·ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean cautiously attentive: was careful not to get her shoes muddy; heedful of the danger; mindful of his health; observant of the patient's symptoms; a watchful babysitter. See Also Synonyms at meticulous.
Antonym: careless

Careful

Care"ful\ (k[^a]r"f[.u]l), a. [AS. cearful.]

1. Full of care; anxious; solicitous. [Archaic]

Be careful [Rev. Ver. "anxious"] for nothing. --Phil. iv. 6.

The careful plowman doubting stands. --Milton.

2. Filling with care or solicitude; exposing to concern, anxiety, or trouble; painful.

The careful cold beginneth for to creep. --Spenser.

By Him that raised me to this careful height. --Shak.

3. Taking care; giving good heed; watchful; cautious; provident; not indifferent, heedless, or reckless; -- often followed by of, for, or the infinitive; as, careful of money; careful to do right.

Thou hast been careful for us with all this care. --2. Kings iv, 13.

What could a careful father more have done? --Dryden.

Syn: Anxious; solicitous; provident; thoughtful; cautious; circumspect; heedful; watchful; vigilant.
Language Translation for : careful
Spanish: cuidadoso,
German: vorsichtig,
Japanese: 注意深い
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