apprehensive
/ˌæp.rɪˈhɛn.sɪv/adjective★Intermediate
formalinformal
feeling anxious or fearful about something that might happen
The students were apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
The students were worried about the exam.
He looked apprehensive when the doctor mentioned surgery.
He seemed anxious when the doctor talked about surgery.
💡
Often used to describe a sense of unease or worry about future events.
Collocations
apprehensive aboutworried or anxious about somethingapprehensive offearful or uneasy about something
Synonyms
Antonyms
💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
Use 'apprehensive' when describing a more intense feeling of anxiety or fear compared to 'nervous' or 'worried'.
📖Word Origin
From Latin 'apprehendere' (to grasp, seize, or apprehend), from 'ad-' (to) + 'prehendere' (to take).
📝Usage Notes
Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a state of worry or fear about something uncertain.
Word Breakdown
ap-
to
prefix-prehensive
grasp or seize
rootEnglish Dictionary