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

"People saying they've not gone out in months and they've gone for a little walk around the park because of me fills me with absolute joy, because that was honestly one of the things I was apprehensive about," she says.

From BBC

After being elected as the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump promised to “end wars” in his victory speech Tuesday night, leaving Europe apprehensive about the conflict in Ukraine and the future of NATO.

From Salon

Prof Hawthorne said: "We recognise that patients may be apprehensive to seek treatment given the social stigma that surrounds the condition, but it is important that they don’t ignore their symptoms as this could lead to them getting worse and risks transmitting the condition to other people."

From BBC

Kailey Garcia, 24, felt more apprehensive and chose not to sign up for facial recognition.

From Los Angeles Times

“I’d understand if he avoided coming back - I know some spectators who didn’t want to return, and some who were very apprehensive,” she added.

From BBC

Related Words

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