- Attentive to potential danger, error, or harm; cautious: was careful when crossing the busy street; gave a careful answer.
- Thorough and painstaking in action or execution; conscientious: a careful search; careful art restorers.
- Protective; solicitous: Be careful of his feelings.
- Full of cares or anxiety: “Thou art careful and troubled about many things” (Luke 10:41).
carefulness care'ful·ness n.
SYNONYMS careful, heedful, mindful, observant, watchful. These adjectives mean cautiously attentive: was careful not to get her shoes muddy; heedful of the danger; mindful of his health; observant of the patient's symptoms; a watchful babysitter. See also synonyms at meticulous.
ANTONYM careless







