ENGLISH
REFERENCE

apprehensive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌæpɹiˈhɛnsɪv// UK //ˌæpɹɪhˈɛnsɪv// ap·pre·hen·sive Archaic

adj. feeling worried or nervous about something that might happen in the future. You feel this when you are not sure if a situation will be successful.

adj. feeling anxious or fearful that something unpleasant will occur. Often used predicatively after linking verbs such as 'feel' or 'remain'.


SIMPLE

I feel a bit apprehensive about my job interview tomorrow.

CONTEXTUAL

Many students are apprehensive about the upcoming changes to the exam format and how they will affect their final grades.

COMPLEX

The investors remained apprehensive despite the CEO's reassurances, fearing that the volatile market conditions would eventually erode the company's quarterly profits.

Synonyms
Origin

From Latin apprehensīvus, from apprehensus, perfect passive participle of apprehendō (“to apprehend, understand, learn”) + -īvus (“-ive”).

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'about' or 'of', or by a 'that' clause.

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