apprehensive
gb/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/ us/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
B2
English
~ 10000
aggódó, nyugtalan
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is apprehensive about [something]
She was apprehensive about starting her new job in a foreign country.
Aggódott amiatt, hogy egy idegen országban kell elkezdenie az új munkáját.
Many investors are apprehensive about the sudden changes in the market.
Sok befektető aggódik a piacon bekövetkezett hirtelen változások miatt.
He sounded apprehensive when he talked about the upcoming surgery.
The children grew increasingly apprehensive as the storm clouds gathered.
Learner examples
I am a little apprehensive about my exam tomorrow.
Kicsit aggódom a holnapi vizsgám miatt.
He feels apprehensive about meeting her parents for the first time.
Aggódik amiatt, hogy most találkozik először a lány szüleivel.
They were apprehensive about moving to a new city.
She is apprehensive about flying because it will be her first time on a plane.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *apprehensive of something* in modern English; while it is not wrong, *apprehensive about something* is much more common. They also sometimes use *apprehensive* for present fear (like being scared of a dog right now); it is usually used for worry about something that has not happened yet. Another confusion is using *apprehensive* to mean 'able to understand quickly', which is now very rare and sounds old-fashioned.
Meaning
worried about something that may happen
Collocations
apprehensive about the future
|feel apprehensive
|deeply apprehensive
|apprehensive at the prospect
|increasingly apprehensive
|slightly apprehensive
Synonyms
anxious (Often slightly stronger and more general; can also suggest a medical or long-term condition.)
|
nervous (Focuses more on physical tension or shakiness, especially before a specific event.)
|
uneasy (Slightly weaker; suggests mild but persistent worry or discomfort.)
Antonyms
confident (Shows belief that things will go well, with no fear about the future.)
|
calm (Describes being relaxed and not emotionally disturbed or worried.)
|
relaxed (Emphasizes being free from tension or worry about what may happen.)
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling worried or not comfortable because you think something bad may happen soon.
Feeling worried or nervous that something bad or unpleasant may happen in the future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
apprehensive
IPA
GB/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
US/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
Syllables & stress
ap - pre - hens - ive (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (hens)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: apprehensive
Word family
Core family
apprehension
noun B2
apprehensively
adverb
Advanced or less common
apprehend
verb B2
Expressions
be apprehensive about
1/bˈi ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
feel worried about something ahead
To feel worried or not comfortable because you think something bad may happen related to something.
Examples
- Many parents are apprehensive about sending their children to school during the outbreak.
- She is apprehensive about driving in heavy traffic.
- He was clearly apprehensive about telling his boss the bad news.