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 wish I could say that when I received my first A.I.-humanization request, I felt more apprehensive about taking the job.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

Her apprehensive patient hits a breaking point nevertheless, frantically fleeing the exam room while Dana is procedurally required to remain.

From Salon • Feb. 26, 2026

Many employers are reluctant to hire workers, including people looking for part-time jobs in retirement, because they’re apprehensive about the economy.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

"I think people were a little bit apprehensive - what's the catch? But actually the queue gets longer each week, as word spreads that this is for everybody," she said.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

She gave the other two an apprehensive look; they all took deep breaths and then dived at the gnarled stump between them.

From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling

Related Words

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