apprehensive

[ap-ri-hen-siv] /ˌæp rɪˈhɛn sɪv/

adjective

uneasy or fearful about something that might happen:

apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.

quick to learn or understand.

perceptive; discerning (usually followed by of).

Origin

1350-1400; Middle English < Medieval Latin apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive

Related forms

apprehensively, adverb

apprehensiveness, noun

nonapprehensive, adjective

overapprehensive, adjective

overapprehensively, adverb

overapprehensiveness, noun

pseudoapprehensive, adjective

pseudoapprehensively, adverb

unapprehensive, adjective

unapprehensively, adverb

unapprehensiveness, noun

Examples from the web for apprehensive

I'm a bit apprehensive about making the switch.
Instead, I was apprehensive at the profound responsibility of having someone else's story in my hands.
Tremors there will always be and indeed when they cease for a while, people get apprehensive about the bigger one ahead.
Even those apprehensive of reading something creepy usually found they couldn't put them down.
Still, he was apprehensive about his first acting job.
The perspective suggests just how tall the trees look to a small, apprehensive bear about to climb one.
The athletes say they're not apprehensive.
Or maybe she's been away a while and is apprehensive about her return home.
The door creaked open partway to reveal the haggard, apprehensive heads of three young men.
We were curious, and a bit apprehensive.

British Dictionary definitions for apprehensive

apprehensive

/ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv/

adjective

fearful or anxious

Derived Forms

apprehensively, adverb
apprehensiveness, noun

Word Origin and History for apprehensive

adj.

late 14c., "capable of perceiving, fitted for mental impression," from Medieval Latin apprehensivus, from Latin apprehensus, past participle of apprehendere (see apprehend). Meaning "fearful of what is to come" is recorded from 1718, via notion of "capable of grasping with the mind" (c.1600). Related: Apprehensively; apprehensiveness.