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

"I felt apprehensive. I didn't have the skills to actually understand it fully."

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Mr Quinn recounted attending the civil rights' march, he said he was a bit "apprehensive" because paratroopers were on the streets.

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Nicole said businesses were apprehensive, her skills were health service based, and she needed to convince them she was a good fit.

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"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.

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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.

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Related Words

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