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cautious in one’s actions:
Be careful when you cross the street.
taking pains in one’s work; exact; thorough:
a careful typist.
(of things) done or performed with accuracy or caution:
careful research.
solicitously mindful (usually followed by of, about, or in):
careful of the rights of others; careful about one’s behavior; careful in speech.
Archaic.

troubled.
attended with anxiety.

Historical Examples

She must exercise a carefulness concerning her conversation, and that of her gossips, too, which destroyed both zest and freedom.
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume IX (of X) Various

She could not tell whether it was the barrenness of the room, or Milt’s carefulness, that caught her.
Free Air Sinclair Lewis

He calculated with carefulness our material capacities for expansion in power and wealth.
Abraham Lincoln’s Cardinal Traits; Clark S. Beardslee

This was to teach her foresight and carefulness, her father said.
A Missionary Twig Emma L. Burnett

They were told to go about their daily tasks without fear or carefulness.
The Pacification of Burma Sir Charles Haukes Todd Crosthwaite

A sudden instinct for carefulness had prompted him to make that request.
Murder Point Coningsby Dawson

The stairs had cracked and squeaked, notwithstanding his carefulness in stepping.
Shadow, the Mysterious Detective Police Captain Howard

Then the carefulness relaxed, as it was bound to do, and some mistakes occurred.
The Portygee Joseph Crosby Lincoln

My reason for this kind of carelessness, or carefulness, was, that I could always get something to eat when I went there.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass

When I see a man intent on carefulness, I praise and do my best to honour him.
The Economist Xenophon

adjective
cautious in attitude or action; prudent
painstaking in one’s work; thorough: he wrote very careful script
(usually postpositive; foll by of, in, or about) solicitous; protective: careful of one’s reputation
(archaic) full of care; anxious
(Brit) mean or miserly
n.

Old English carfulnys; see careful + -ness.
adj.

Old English cearful “mournful, sad,” also “full of care or woe; anxious; full of concern” (for someone or something), thus “applying attention, painstaking, circumspect;” from care (n.) + -ful.