apprehensive
gb/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/ us/ˌæpɹihˈɛnsɪv/
B2
English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
state
1
worried about something that may happen
Feeling worried or not comfortable because you think something bad may happen soon.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is apprehensive about [something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
apprehensive about the future
|feel apprehensive
|deeply apprehensive
|apprehensive at the prospect
|increasingly apprehensive
|slightly apprehensive
Themes
emotions
|mental_health
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was apprehensive about starting her new job in a foreign country.
- Many investors are apprehensive about the sudden changes in the market.
- 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.
- He feels apprehensive about meeting her parents for the first time.
- They were apprehensive about moving to a new city.
- She is apprehensive about flying because it will be her first time on a plane.
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.