carefully

carefully — adverb

1. taking time and paying close attention to what you are doing so that nothing get

1.adverbA2
Definition

taking time and paying close attention to what you are doing so that nothing gets broken, nobody gets hurt, and no mistakes are made

Example

Leila carefully wrapped the glass vase in newspaper before packing it.

collocation: carefully wrapped [fragile object]

The doctor carefully examined the patient's swollen knee.

adverb before verb in active sentence

Common collocations
  • carefully planned
  • carefully examined
  • carefully prepared
  • carefully chosen
  • carefully measured
  • read carefully
  • listen carefully
  • think carefully
  • watch carefully
  • handle carefully
Synonyms
  • cautiously

    focuses on avoiding danger rather than avoiding mistakes; B2

  • attentively

    emphasises listening or watching with concentration; B2

  • thoroughly

    emphasises completeness and covering every detail; B2

Antonyms
  • carelessly

    without attention or thought, opposite in manner; B1

  • recklessly

    taking unnecessary risks without concern for results; B2

Usage Note

Carefully usually appears right before or right after the verb it describes. In short commands and warnings it often comes after the verb (drive carefully, listen carefully).

Common Mistakes

He drove careful on the icy road.
He drove carefully on the icy road.
after an action verb you need an adverb (carefully), not an adjective (careful).
Idioms

tread carefully, warily, etc.

idiom

To act or speak with great caution to avoid problems or offense.

Mia tread carefully when discussing her boss's new project.

Should we tread warily in the negotiation with our clients?

Word family

  • careful
    adjectiveA2
  • care
    verbA2
  • care
    nounA2
  • careless
    adjectiveA2
  • carelessly
    adverbB1
  • carelessness
    nounB1
  • carefulness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All three synonyms describe paying close attention, but each adds a different shade. Cautiously emphasises avoiding danger or risk: you drive cautiously on a wet road, not thoroughly. Attentively focuses on listening or watching with full concentration: a student listens attentively to a lecture. Thoroughly stresses completeness and covering every detail: you clean a room thoroughly. Carefully is the broadest of the four, covering all these situations with a neutral everyday tone. For example, a nurse carefully checks a patient's vital signs — she pays close attention, does the task completely, and avoids causing harm.

cautiouslyattentivelythoroughly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very
  • too
  • extremely
  • quite
  • more
  • most

Phrases

  • with care

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Carefully came from the adjective careful (meaning 'full of care or worry' in Old English) plus the adverb suffix -ly. The original sense of careful was closer to 'full of sorrow or concern' (from Old English caru 'sorrow, anxiety'). Over time it softened to mean 'taking care' or 'giving attention', and carefully inherited that meaning as an adverb describing how an action is done.