Carefully

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈkɛːfÉ™li/

Origin

From Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English cearfullīċe, carfullīċe ("carefully, diligently"), equivalent to careful + -ly.

Full definition of carefully

Adverb

1. (obsolete) Sorrowfully.
• 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, III.8:there was she faine
  To call them all in order to her ayde,
  And them conjure, upon eternall paine,
  To counsell her, so carefully dismayd,
  How she might heale her sonne ….
2. With care; attentively, circumspectly.As he was a politician, he discussed all subjects carefully, not offending anyone.He carefully studied the papers, while planning his next move.He carefully avoided the subject all evening.