carefuller; carefullest
1
a
: marked by wary caution or prudence
be very careful with knives
b
: marked by attentive concern and solicitude
careful farm management
c
: marked by painstaking effort to avoid errors or omissions
—often used with of or an infinitive
careful of money
careful to adjust the machine
2
: exercising or taking care
careful of a child's welfare
3
Examples of careful in a Sentence
He is a careful driver.
You can never be too careful about these things.
Be careful! The stove is hot!
She was careful of their feelings.
The police were careful to leave the room exactly as they found it.
Police made a careful examination of the scene.
They produced a careful study of the building.
Recent Examples on the Web
These concerns underscore the need for careful consideration of privacy rights when deploying such technology.
—
Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Why America's business leaders engage in delicate diplomacy Corporate America's careful rhetoric — even as many big companies brace for the impact of the market volatility and the tariffs — illustrates the delicate diplomacy that business leaders are trying to engage in.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Rendering animal fat requires careful heating and purification to remove impurities.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careful
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Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 15 Mar. 2025
To make the most of spring planting, start with site preparation and careful plant selection.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 14 Mar. 2025
Why America's business leaders engage in delicate diplomacy Corporate America's careful rhetoric — even as many big companies brace for the impact of the market volatility and the tariffs — illustrates the delicate diplomacy that business leaders are trying to engage in.
—Maria Aspan, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
Rendering animal fat requires careful heating and purification to remove impurities.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for careful
Cite this Entry
“Careful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/careful. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
careful
adjective
care·ful
ˈke(ə)r-fəl 
ˈka(ə)r-
1
: using care : watchful
a careful driver
2
: made, done, or said with care
a careful examination
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