careful
KAIRFL
Careful (adjective) means paying close attention to avoid mistakes, danger, or harm. Example: “Be careful crossing that busy road.”
adjective
1
Paying close attention to avoid mistakes, danger, or harm.
"Be careful crossing that busy road."
"She gave the report a careful read before submitting it."
"Please be careful with that glass; it is very thin and sharp."
2
Done with great attention to detail; thorough and precise.
"The museum used careful restoration techniques on the painting."
"His careful planning meant nothing was left to chance."
"A careful check of the figures revealed two small errors in the table."
How to use careful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTaking pains to avoid errors or danger, or done with real attention to detail.
Common pairings
be careful
careful planning
a careful examination
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more careful
- Superlative
- most careful
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Can you complete this real example?
Be _____ crossing that busy road.
Etymology
From Old English carful, from care + -ful ("full of").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for careful
See all rhymes for careful →Frequently asked questions
What does “careful” mean?
The word “careful” means paying close attention to avoid mistakes, danger, or harm. In plain terms, taking pains to avoid errors or danger, or done with real attention to detail.
How do you pronounce “careful”?
“Careful” is pronounced KAIRFL (/ˈkɛɹfəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “careful” in a sentence?
Here is “careful” used in a sentence: “Be careful crossing that busy road.”
What is another word for “careful”?
Words with a similar meaning to “careful” include deliberate.
What is the opposite of “careful”?
The opposite of “careful” — its antonyms — is careless.
What part of speech is “careful”?
“Careful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “careful” come from?
The word “careful” comes from Old English. From Old English carful, from care + -ful ("full of").
Is “careful” a common word?
“Careful” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between careful and cautious?
Being careful means paying close attention so you avoid mistakes or harm while doing something. Being cautious means holding back because you sense possible risk. A careful driver checks mirrors and signals; a cautious driver slows down or avoids the road altogether. Careful is about attention; cautious is about wariness.
What is the opposite of careful?
The most direct opposite is 'careless,' meaning not paying attention and so likely to cause mistakes or harm. Other opposites include 'reckless,' 'negligent,' and 'hasty.' Each describes acting without the thought, caution, and attention to detail that being careful requires, often leading to avoidable errors or accidents.
Is 'careful' a positive word?
Yes, careful is generally positive. It praises someone for being attentive, thorough, and responsible enough to avoid errors or danger. Occasionally it can hint at being overly cautious or slow, but in most contexts calling someone careful is a compliment about their diligence and good judgement.
What is an example of being careful?
Reading a contract slowly before signing it is being careful, because you check every detail to avoid a costly mistake. So is handling a hot pan with oven gloves, or crossing a busy road only after looking both ways. Each shows attention paid to avoid harm or error.
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