carefully
- 01 A2 Elementary
in a way that shows you are thinking about what you are doing to avoid mistakes or danger.
with close attention to detail or safety; in a manner intended to avoid error, harm, or damage.
Simple“Please carry the box carefully because there are glass bottles inside.”
In context“The surgeon worked carefully to ensure that no healthy tissue was damaged during the delicate procedure.”
PitfallYou must drive more careful in the rain. You must drive more carefully in the rain.Learners often use the adjective 'careful' when the adverb 'carefully' is required to describe the verb.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
doing something very thoroughly and checking every part of it.
with thoroughness and precision; showing great care for accuracy or completeness.
Simple“She read the contract carefully before she signed her name.”
In context“The researchers carefully documented every variable in the experiment to ensure the results could be replicated by other teams.”
SynonymsAntonymshastilysloppily
Usage carefully controlled · carefully planned · carefully control
From Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English carfullīċe, ċearfullīċe (“carefully, diligently”), equivalent to careful + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.