apprehensive
Americanadjective
-
uneasy or fearful about something that might happen.
apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.
-
quick to learn or understand.
-
perceptive; discerning (usually followed byof ).
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apprehensive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive
Explanation
If you're apprehensive, you're anxious or fearful. If you live near a busy intersection with no stop signs, you might be a bit apprehensive about crossing the street. Apprehensive is from a Latin word meaning "to seize," and it originally meant "quick to seize impressions or ideas, perceptive, intelligent." Now it means "anticipating something bad, fearful of what may happen." Synonyms are afraid, which suggest a more immediate fear, and fearful, which suggests a more general temperament ("a fearful child"). You can be apprehensive about a situation while being an optimistic and courageous person in general.
Vocabulary lists containing apprehensive
100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know
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The Giver
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Essential Academic Vocabulary for High School Students, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Checking in at a dating event in a bar in Guildford, Olivia Miller-Davis is understandably apprehensive.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
Jackie said she felt apprehensive about having anyone other than Apted in charge, but said Kapadia made her feel immediately at ease.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
I was apprehensive about any mental care–adjacent product that encourages more screen time.
From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026
At first she was apprehensive about using this type of imagery in her work.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
“Okay,” said Harry, trying to sound as though he wasn’t apprehensive at all and merely glad that Lupin had found such a good substitute for a real dementor.
From "Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban" by J.K. Rowling
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
