apprehensive
[ ap-ri-hen-siv ]
/ ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv /
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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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Origin of apprehensive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus.See apprehensible, -ive
OTHER WORDS FROM apprehensive
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use apprehensive in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for apprehensive
apprehensive
/ (ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv) /
adjective
fearful or anxious
Derived forms of apprehensive
apprehensively, adverbapprehensiveness, nounCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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