Careful

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkɛːfÉ™l/

Alternative forms

• carefull (obsolete)

Origin

From Middle English careful, from Old English carful, Ä‹earful ("careful, anxious, curious, troubled"), equivalent to care + -ful.

Full definition of careful

Adjective

1. (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.’
2. (obsolete) Full of cares or anxiety; worried, troubled.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.1:Where through long watch, and late daies weary toile,
  She soundly slept, and carefull thoughts did quite assoile.
3. Having care (for); attentive to potential danger, error or harm; cautious.He was a slow and careful driver.
4. Conscientious and painstaking; meticulous.They made a careful search of the crimescene.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• careless

Derived terms

• carefully