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care·ful (kârfəl)
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adj.
1. Attentive to potential danger, error, or harm; cautious: was careful when crossing the street; a careful answer.
2. Thorough and painstaking in action or execution; conscientious: a careful search; careful art restorers.
3. Protective; solicitous: Be careful of his feelings.
4. Full of cares or anxiety: "Thou art careful and troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41).
careful·ly adv.
careful·ness n.
Synonyms: careful, alert, attentive, heedful, mindful, vigilant, watchful
These adjectives mean giving close or cautious attention: were careful not to get their shoes muddy; alert to any change in the patient's condition; attentive to her driving; heedful of potential danger; mindful of his health; a vigilant customs official; a watchful babysitter. See Also Synonyms at meticulous.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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