- careful */*/*/
- UK [ˈkeə(r)f(ə)l] / US [ˈkerf(ə)l]
adjective
1) if someone is careful, they think about what they are doing so that they do not do anything wrong or so that they avoid problems
Teachers have to be careful when criticizing pupils.
careful about:Even the most careful proofreader will miss the occasional error.
careful who/what/how:People should be more careful about the things they say.
careful (that):You must be careful who you accept a lift from.
be careful to do something:Be careful that the medicine is kept away from children.
She was careful to keep her records up to date.
a) trying hard not to cause harm or damagecareful with:Brighton welcomes careful drivers.
Please be very careful with those plates!
b) used about someone's actionsThe project needs careful planning.
After careful consideration, we are giving the prize to a children's book.
She took a few careful steps into the water.
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Collocations:
Nouns frequently used with careful
▪ analysis, assessment, consideration, deliberation, examination, handling, observation, planning, preparation, scrutiny, supervision, thought, timing, watch2) spending money only when it is necessarybe careful with (your) money:We're going to have to be more careful now that Dad's lost his job.
She's always been careful with money.
•(be) careful
— spoken used for telling someone to pay attention, for example in order to avoid an accidentThere's some ice there – be careful!
Careful, Peter! You'll fall!
Derived word:
carefully
UK / US adverba carefully worded letter
He washed the antique plates very carefully.
English dictionary. 2014.