carefully

A2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/ UK /ˈkɛːf(ə)li/ See IPA manual

Freq #2030

Meanings

1

adv
In a way that gives attention so you avoid danger or mistakes.

They watched the road carefully before crossing.
2

adv
In a thorough way, with attention to detail.

She read the contract carefully before signing it.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adv · in a way that gives... cautiously

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

carefully balanced
positioned or weighted with attention so that neither side tips

Adverb + adjective

Proverbs (1)

See all

Pick your battles carefully

Etymology

From Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English carfullīċe, ċearfullīċe (“carefully, diligently”), equivalent to careful + -ly.

*ǵeh₂r- Proto-Indo-European carfulli Middle English carfullīċe Old English

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# carefully

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adv
**IPA (US):** /ˈkɛɹf(ə)li/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈkɛːf(ə)li/
**Frequency rank:** 2030

## Meanings
1. In a way that gives attention so you avoid danger or mistakes.
2. In a thorough way, with attention to detail.

## Examples
- They watched the road carefully before crossing.
- She read the contract carefully before signing it.

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *ǵeh₂r-
- Root: carfulli
- Root: carfullīċe

## Etymology
From Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English carfullīċe, ċearfullīċe (“carefully, diligently”), equivalent to careful + -ly.

## AI Etymology
carefully is an adverb. It is from Middle English carfulli, carefulliche, from Old English carfullīċe, ċearfullīċe (“carefully, diligently”), equivalent to careful + -ly. Historical forms in the chain include *ǵeh₂r- (Proto-Indo-European), carfulli (Middle English), and carfullīċe (Old English). Current senses include in a way that gives attention so you avoid danger or mistakes and in a thorough way, with attention to detail.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

markdown