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careful

adjective

/ˈkɛər fəl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of careful

Cautious, attentive, and meticulous in one's actions, decisions, or approach to a task or situation.
"The surgeon performed the delicate procedure with careful precision."

Detailed meaning of careful

When someone is careful, they exercise prudence and take deliberate steps to avoid mistakes, accidents, or negative outcomes. It implies a sense of thoughtfulness and thoroughness, where individuals pay close attention to details and potential risks before proceeding. Being careful often involves considering the consequences of actions, analyzing information, and making calculated choices to minimize potential harm or errors. It can also pertain to the act of handling or dealing with something delicate or valuable in a way that prevents damage or loss. By being careful, individuals demonstrate a level of responsibility, conscientiousness, and awareness that promotes safety, precision, and positive outcomes in various contexts, such as work, personal relationships, or everyday tasks.

Example sentences containing careful

1. She took careful notes during the lecture to ensure she didn't miss any important information.
2. The hiker treaded carefully along the narrow and slippery trail.
3. He gave careful consideration to all the options before making a decision.
4. The parents kept a careful eye on their child as they played in the park.
5. The artist took careful measurements to ensure the proportions of the painting were accurate.
6. The driver navigated the icy road with careful control to avoid skidding.

History and etymology of careful

The adjective 'careful' has its roots in the Middle English word 'carefulle,' which evolved from the Old English 'cearfule.' Both of these early forms of the word share a common ancestry with the Old English word 'caru,' which meant 'care' or 'sorrow.' In its earliest usage, 'careful' meant full of care, taking great care, or being anxious or sorrowful. Over time, its meaning evolved to emphasize being cautious, attentive, and meticulous in one's actions, decisions, or approach to a task or situation, shifting from a sense of worry to one of prudence. The etymology of 'careful' thus reflects its historical journey from a focus on emotional concern to a focus on thoughtful and meticulous attention to detail, embodying the idea of taking care in one's actions and decisions.

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Further usage examples of careful

1. The detective examined the crime scene with careful attention to detail.
2. The writer proofread the manuscript with careful scrutiny for any spelling or grammatical errors.
3. She handled the fragile china teacup with careful gentleness.
4. The scientist conducted a series of careful experiments to test the hypothesis.
5. The accountant reviewed the financial statements with careful analysis to detect any discrepancies.
6. The careful driver obeyed all traffic rules on the icy road.
7. She was careful not to spill the hot coffee on her lap.
8. The detective conducted a careful examination of the crime scene.
9. The surgeon performed the procedure with careful precision.
10. He made a careful decision after weighing all the options.
11. The hiker took careful steps along the narrow mountain trail.
12. The artist paid careful attention to every detail in her painting.
13. The architect drafted a careful blueprint for the new building.
14. The chef was careful not to overcook the delicate seafood.
15. The accountant double-checked the financial records for errors.
16. The teacher gave careful instructions for the science experiment.
17. She wrote a careful letter to express her gratitude.
18. The parent was careful to childproof the entire house.
19. The researcher conducted a careful analysis of the data.
20. The babysitter was careful to follow the parents' rules.
21. The programmer wrote careful code to prevent bugs.
22. The mountain climber took careful precautions for safety.
23. The lawyer gave a careful review of the legal documents.
24. The captain issued careful orders to navigate the storm.
25. The historian conducted careful research for the book.