apprehensive

[ ap-ri-hen-siv ]

/ ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv /

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See synonyms for: apprehensive / apprehensively / apprehensiveness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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 by of).

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of apprehensive

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus.See apprehensible, -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM apprehensive

ap·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbap·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounnon·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjectiveo·ver·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjective

o·ver·ap·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbo·ver·ap·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounpseu·do·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjectivepseu·do·ap·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbun·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjectiveun·ap·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbun·ap·pre·hen·sive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use apprehensive in a sentence

In it, a gentle, apprehensive alien secretly arrives on Earth, where he passes for human and assumes the name Thomas Jerome Newton.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is a bestseller, but its author, Walter Tevis, was hardly a one-hit wonder|Michael Dirda|February 3, 2021|Washington Post
I was apprehensive about my prognosis, my treatment plan, and my ability to live a normal life.
Drug imports endanger patients like me|Brandon Macsata|November 13, 2020|Washington Blade
"You have offended Carry," said Emma, apprehensively, as the former walked towards the other room.
Alone|Marion Harland
When Ormsby came in, I watched him apprehensively as he read the envelope upon his desk and saw its contents.
The Talking Horse|F. Anstey

The girl's heart waited apprehensively and she heard her father's deep voice.
The Trail of the Lonesome Pine|John Fox, Jr.
At last he heard the first stroke of twelve and looked apprehensively towards Dora.
Sinister Street, vol. 1|Compton Mackenzie
She glanced rather apprehensively as she spoke at the large white house, not two minutes' walk distant across the street.
The Butterfly House|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for apprehensive

apprehensive

/ (ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv) /

adjective

fearful or anxious

Derived forms of apprehensive

apprehensively, adverbapprehensiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

apprehensive

Origin of apprehensive

OTHER WORDS FROM apprehensive

Words related to apprehensive

How to use apprehensive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for apprehensive

Derived forms of apprehensive