careful Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective exercising caution or showing care or attention
    • they were careful when crossing the busy street
    • be careful to keep her shoes clean
    • did very careful research
    • careful art restorers
    • careful of the rights of others
    • careful about one's behavior
  2. adjective satellite cautiously attentive
    heedful.
    • careful of her feelings
    • heedful of his father's advice
  3. adjective satellite unhurried and with care and dignity
    measured; deliberate.
    • walking at the same measured pace
    • with all deliberate speed
  4. adjective satellite full of cares or anxiety
    • Thou art careful and troubled about many things"-Luke 10.41
  5. adjective satellite mindful of the future in spending money
    thrifty.
    • careful with money

WordNet

Care"ful adjective
Etymology
AS. cearful.
Definitions
  1. Full of care; anxious; solicitous Archaic
    Be careful [Rev. Ver. "anxious"] for nothing. Phil. iv. 6.
    The careful plowman doubting stands. Milton.
  2. Filling with care or colicitube; exposing to concern, anxiety, or trouble; painful.
    The careful cold beinneth for to creep. Spenser.
    By Him that raised me to this careful height. Shak.
  3. Taking care; gicing good heed; watchful; cautious; provident; not indifferent heedless, or reckless; -- often follower byof, for, or the infinitive; as, careful of money; careful to do right.
    Thou hast been careful for us with all this care. 2. Kings iv, 13.
    What could a careful father more have done? Dryden.
    Syn. -- Anxious; solicitous; provident; thoughtful; cautious; circumspect; heedful; watchful; vigilant.

Webster 1913