Word
carefully
Phoneticscare·ful·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɛɹfəɫi/
UK/kˈeəfəli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01with attention and caution
A2 · Elementary
adv. in a way that shows you are thinking about what you are doing to avoid mistakes or danger.
adv. with close attention to detail or safety; in a manner intended to avoid error, harm, or damage.
“Please carry the box carefully because there are glass bottles inside.”
“The surgeon worked carefully to ensure that no healthy tissue was damaged during the delicate procedure.”
Pitfall
You 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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02with great effort and detail
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. doing something very thoroughly and checking every part of it.
adv. with thoroughness and precision; showing great care for accuracy or completeness.
日本語:じっくり※
“She read the contract carefully before she signed her name.”
“The researchers carefully documented every variable in the experiment to ensure the results could be replicated by other teams.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “carefully” in context.
Etymology
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.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Idioms
01. tread carefully
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/carefully
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0