apprehensive

[ ap-ri-hen-siv ]

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 by of ).

apprehensive

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. fearful or anxious

Derived Forms

• ˌappreˈhensiveness, noun
• ˌappreˈhensively, adverb

Other Words From

• appre·hensive·ly adverb
• appre·hensive·ness noun
• nonap·pre·hensive adjective
• over·appre·hensive adjective
• over·appre·hensive·ly adverb
• over·appre·hensive·ness noun
• pseudo·appre·hensive adjective
• pseudo·appre·hensive·ly adverb
• unap·pre·hensive adjective
• unap·pre·hensive·ly adverb
• unap·pre·hensive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apprehensive¹

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

Example Sentences

Cuse: At first, I was a little apprehensive about jumping into a genre that seemed really overdone and overwrought.

From The Daily Beast

At first, the couple is apprehensive, if not downright appalled.

From The Daily Beast

He then jumps off a building to go fight crime, leaving Stacy totally smitten—and more than a little apprehensive.

From The Daily Beast

You find yourself reading, impressed, entertained, identifying, yet vaguely repulsed and apprehensive for him.

From The Daily Beast

Interpreters, feeling apprehensive about our departure, left to rejoin their families.

From The Daily Beast

I am becoming seriously apprehensive about my Lines of Communication and am forced to let you know the state of affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

At first he became defiant, but presently he grew apprehensive, and on taking his leave he made a foul accusation against you.

From Project Gutenberg

Cordelia, only, cast an apprehensive glance over her shoulder.

From Project Gutenberg

Our arrival dissipated the anxiety of the men, who began to be apprehensive we were taken or killed by some of the savages.

From Project Gutenberg

This would not have been of so much consequence, perhaps, but that Matava became apprehensive that they might desert.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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