adj
apprehensive
ap-rih-HEHN-sihv
adj
1
Nervous or worried about something that might happen.
"He was apprehensive about starting his new job."
"She felt apprehensive as the plane began to shake."
How to Use Apprehensive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFeeling uneasy or worried about something in the future.
Common mistake
Not the same as "aggressive" — a common mix-up for learners because of the similar sound and shape.
Common pairings
apprehensive about
feel apprehensive
apprehensive glance
Word Forms
more apprehensive comparative, most apprehensive superlative
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He was _____ about starting his new job.
Etymology
From Latin apprehensivus, related to apprehendere, "to seize" — the sense shifted from "grasping mentally" to "anxious about what's coming."