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

Example Sentences

"I was told that I had to go and not risk losing my finger, so I was apprehensive."

From BBC

Because of that, he is a little apprehensive about Madden appearing in Mason’s film, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

They are also more apprehensive about the possible messy aftermath of U.S. military strikes, since they would deal with the consequences.

From The Wall Street Journal

"It's been really interesting, I feel like I've learned an awful lot but I was apprehensive at the beginning," she said.

From BBC

I should be scared or apprehensive—I mean, this is what Autumn and I hate about the main characters in horror movies.

From Literature

Related Words

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