gingerly
23
4.6
- adverb
- /ˈdʒɪndʒərli/
:
con cuidado
- The hikers gingerly made their way across the icy path, careful not to slip.
- approach the topic gingerly
I went up and did a jump very gingerly, not getting real dynamic.
- I went up and did a jump very gingerly, not getting real dynamic.
- Doesn't he know that smoking can kill and he's carrying that landmine so gingerly?
- And so put that back generally gingerly there.
Examples
-
Looks at the bedside clock, and very gingerly rises, puts on his coat, and walks out.
Fiction book (1992) -
The muscles of his legs and back ached, and he stretched himself gingerly to relieve them.
Fiction book (1991) -
So now we're going to take our box and we are going to gingerly place it.
-
OK, place gingerly, place the blue ball.
-
I went up and did a jump very gingerly, not getting real dynamic.
-
I tipped my cap very gingerly and said fair play.
-
Cantona gets to his feet, quite gingerly.
-
By the end of the session, she was gingerly brushing the dog and petting him.
Academic text (1997) -
Everyone turns away from the windows, gingerly sitting down, glumly pondering this possibility.
Fiction book (1990) -
Stresa stepped over the fallen webbing gingerly and eased past them to where the ground was firm.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
978
1.0
In a way that shows attention and caution to avoid mistakes or harm
372
1.0
To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise
95
1.0
In a gentle, light way using little force
70
2.3
To do something in a careful way to avoid danger or mistakes
44
3.7
Gently and carefully to avoid hurting people or breaking things
16
4.3
To act carefully and watch for danger
8
5.0
In a careful way to avoid future problems
7
6.5
In a careful, thoughtful way that makes good choices
6
7.3
To treat someone very carefully so you do not upset them
3
6.5
In a careful way that avoids risk or saying too much
1
8.3
To act carefully after thinking about possible problems and results
1
7.7
In a careful, sensible way to avoid risk
Carefully because you are unsure about possible risks
To act gently and carefully without using force
Antonyms
How Careful
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word gingerly is a helpful one to remember from ginger, the spice, and from older words that meant 'dainty' or 'delicate'. So, like handling a small, strong spice with care, to act gingerly is to do something very 'carefully' or 'cautiously'.