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

“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

Some people I met with were pretty apprehensive about me directing and writing this, but that’s what I wanted to do.

From Los Angeles Times

The planned deployment of Egyptian troops along its eastern border would also make Ethiopia particularly apprehensive, he added.

From BBC

For her brother Adam, living in Cardiff meant an apprehensive phone call every day.

From BBC

He, too, has felt apprehensive at times about speaking publicly on an issue that stirs up age-old racial tensions.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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