adj C1 Advanced

apprehensive

ap-rih-HEHN-sihv

Apprehensive (adj) means nervous or worried about something that might happen. Example: “He was apprehensive about starting his new job.”

adj

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 notes

In 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."

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for apprehensive

Ive five give dive live hive jive vive olive drive alive waive

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “apprehensive” mean?

The word “apprehensive” means nervous or worried about something that might happen. In plain terms, feeling uneasy or worried about something in the future.

How do you pronounce “apprehensive”?

“Apprehensive” is pronounced ap-rih-HEHN-sihv (/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “apprehensive” in a sentence?

Here is “apprehensive” used in a sentence: “He was apprehensive about starting his new job.”

What part of speech is “apprehensive”?

“Apprehensive” is an adjective.

Where does the word “apprehensive” come from?

The word “apprehensive” comes from Latin. From Latin apprehensivus, related to apprehendere, "to seize" — the sense shifted from "grasping mentally" to "anxious about what's coming.".