carefully

Carefully is an adverb describing actions performed with caution, attention to detail, or thorough preparation. It modifies verbs to indicate that care, precision, or foresight guided the action. Typical contexts include handling objects, reading or examining information, or planning activities.

Etymology: Carefully derives from the adjective careful, which itself comes from care plus the adjectival suffix -ful, from Old English and earlier Germanic roots. The suffix -ly was added to form an adverb in Middle English and has remained the standard manner adverb in modern English.

Usage notes: Carefully often implies avoiding harm or error, but can also signal methodical thoroughness. It commonly appears before a verb (handle it carefully, read this carefully) or after a finite verb in some syntactic patterns (She spoke carefully so as not to offend). It contrasts with carelessly, which conveys neglect or recklessness.

See also: care, careful, carelessness; synonyms include cautiously, meticulously, painstakingly. Pronunciation: /ˈker.fə.li/ in many dialects; stress on the first syllable.