apprehensive

American  

[ap-ri-hen-siv] / ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv /

adjective

1. uneasy or fearful about something that might happen.

   apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.

2. quick to learn or understand.

3. perceptive; discerning (usually followed byof ).

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apprehensive British  

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. fearful or anxious

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Other Word Forms

• apprehensively
  adverb
• apprehensiveness
  noun
• nonapprehensive
  adjective
• overapprehensive
  adjective
• overapprehensively
  adverb
• overapprehensiveness
  noun
• pseudoapprehensive
  adjective
• pseudoapprehensively
  adverb
• unapprehensive
  adjective
• unapprehensively
  adverb
• unapprehensiveness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of apprehensive

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive

Explanation

If you're apprehensive, you're anxious or fearful. If you live near a busy intersection with no stop signs, you might be a bit apprehensive about crossing the street. Apprehensive is from a Latin word meaning "to seize," and it originally meant "quick to seize impressions or ideas, perceptive, intelligent." Now it means "anticipating something bad, fearful of what may happen." Synonyms are afraid, which suggest a more immediate fear, and fearful, which suggests a more general temperament ("a fearful child"). You can be apprehensive about a situation while being an optimistic and courageous person in general.

Example Sentences

It’s my fatherly nudge to do something that they’re a little nervous or apprehensive about, like the double black diamond or even trying a new food.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

So when Hachette Book Group’s Grand Central Publishing division requested Collins write the introduction to its new edition of “Survivor,” hitting shelves in September after more than 40 years out of print, she was apprehensive.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

Investors appear to be apprehensive about Affirm’s ability to sustain both annual 30% gross-merchandise-volume growth and expand adjusted operating margins, Faucette said.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

Even with the recent price action, shares of Microsoft have fallen roughly 11% so far this year, as investors have grown apprehensive of Microsoft’s ability to compete in the age of AI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

Normally, on the night before the first day of term, Coraline was apprehensive and nervous.

From "Coraline" by Neil Gaiman

Related Words

• afraid
• concerned
• doubtful
• jittery
• jumpy
• suspicious
• uncertain
• uneasy
• uptight