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 byof ).

apprehensive

/ ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv /

adjective

1. fearful or anxious

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

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

"The journey has been up and down… I was a bit apprehensive thinking which way this was going to go," Mr Wrench told BBC Radio Stoke.

From BBC

The quartet is still a bit apprehensive about solving a case that involved organized crime and is worried that the book might expose their families to harm.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Newman said some people were "very apprehensive" about using one, but that the quicker they used it, the more likely they were to save a life.

From BBC

The deputy first minister said that initially she "felt apprehensive and felt alone without my husband there".

From BBC

“I was hesitant and apprehensive to try it,” she said, but decided to throw herself into a new method that promised results.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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