adverb
carefully
With attention to avoiding mistakes or harm.
He carefully lowers the sleeping baby into the crib.
Etymology
Old English caru expressed concern. Careful developed the idea of attentive concern, and -ly applies that quality to how an action is performed, with mistakes or harm in mind.
More examples
- Read the instructions carefully before assembling the shelf.
- She checks each measurement carefully.
- We step carefully across the loose stones.
Similar words
- cautiously
- Emphasizes awareness of possible danger.
- meticulously
- Emphasizes extremely thorough attention to small details.