apprehensive

[ap-ri-hen-siv]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR apprehensive 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).

Origin of apprehensive

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

Related formsap·pre·hen·sive·ly, adverbap·pre·hen·sive·ness, nounnon·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjectiveo·ver·ap·pre·hen·sive, adjectiveo·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. 2019

Related Words for apprehensiveness

foreboding, alarm, disquiet, mistrust, misgiving, trepidation, doubt, uneasiness, dread, suspicion, worry, anxiety, hesitation, apprehension, unease, distrust, qualm, reservation, hunch, omen

Examples from the Web for apprehensiveness

Historical Examples of apprehensiveness

For all its apprehensiveness, a sickly grin ran round the group.
Haviland's Chum
Bertram Mitford
But I am inclined to think that this apprehensiveness was constitutional.
Recollections and Impressions
Octavius Brooks Frothingham
Even now, she knew that her shoulders were contracted with apprehensiveness.
Coquette
Frank Swinnerton
But his hugeness could not quite overcome his apprehensiveness.
The Sea-Wolf
Jack London
And yet he had just been taking credit for his own freedom from apprehensiveness!
The Pretty Lady
Arnold E. Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for apprehensiveness

apprehensive

adjective

fearful or anxious

Derived Formsapprehensively, 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

Word Origin and History for apprehensiveness

apprehensive

adj.

late 14c., "capable of perceiving, fitted for mental impression," from Medieval Latin apprehensivus, from Latin apprehensus, past participle of apprehendere (see apprehend). Meaning "fearful of what is to come" is recorded from 1718, via notion of "capable of grasping with the mind" (c.1600). Related: Apprehensively; apprehensiveness.