Careful Definition
careful
Contents |
English
Alternative forms
- carefull (obsolete)
Etymology
From Middle English careful, from Old English carful, ċearful (“careful, anxious, curious, troubled”), equivalent to care + -ful.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ˈkɛːfəl/
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Audio (US) (file)
Adjective
careful (comparative more careful, superlative most careful)
- (obsolete) Full of care or grief; sorrowful, sad.
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- ‘Alas,’ sayde Sir Cadore, ‘now carefull is myne herte that now lyeth dede my cosyn that I beste loved.’
- 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book V:
- (obsolete) Full of cares or anxiety; worried, troubled.
- Having care (for); attentive to potential danger, error or harm; cautious.
- He was a slow and careful driver.
- Conscientious and painstaking; meticulous.
- They made a careful search of the crimescene.
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:cautious
- See also Wikisaurus:meticulous
Antonyms
Derived terms
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