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
- apprehensively adverb
- apprehensiveness noun
- nonapprehensive adjective
- overapprehensive adjective
- overapprehensively adverb
- overapprehensiveness noun
- pseudoapprehensive adjective
- pseudoapprehensively adverb
- unapprehensive adjective
- unapprehensively adverb
- unapprehensiveness noun
Etymology
Origin of apprehensive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive
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.
Little-Pengelly said there were many people from across Northern Ireland who would be apprehensive about their loved ones who lived in the Middle East.
From BBC
"It's long hours being a butcher and I'd like to spend time with my family. I'm a bit apprehensive, but it's the right thing to do."
From BBC
Her apprehensive patient hits a breaking point nevertheless, frantically fleeing the exam room while Dana is procedurally required to remain.
From Salon
Many employers are reluctant to hire workers, including people looking for part-time jobs in retirement, because they’re apprehensive about the economy.
From MarketWatch
She is currently signed off work and feels apprehensive about going back.
From BBC
Definitions 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.
