Meaning & use
gingerly
In a careful, cautious manner, especially to avoid causing pain, damage, or noise.
See it in a sentence
She stepped gingerly across the icy sidewalk to avoid slipping.
He gingerly picked up the injured bird and placed it in a box.
A note on using this word
Despite looking like it relates to ginger, gingerly comes from an old French word for daintiness and has no connection to the spice.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
carelesslyrecklessly
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