apprehensive
/ˌæp.rɪˈhɛn.sɪv/Feeling worried or uneasy about something that might happen in the future. It describes a quiet, forward-looking fear — not panic, but a growing sense that something could go wrong.
- She felt apprehensive before her first day at the new job.
- He was apprehensive about the surgery scheduled for next week.
- The students grew apprehensive as the exam date approached.
Adinary Nuance
"Apprehensive" is specifically forward-looking — it always points at something that has not happened yet, making it more precise than its near-neighbors. "Anxious" is broader and more intense; you can feel anxious without any clear cause, whereas apprehensive always has an identifiable trigger ahead of you. "Nervous" usually describes a short-lived, physical reaction tied to an immediate event like a speech or performance, while apprehensive can describe a mood that lasts days or weeks. "Worried" is the most casual of the group and suits everyday speech, but "apprehensive" sits in a slightly more formal register — which is exactly why it scores well in IELTS writing and academic essays.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- lo lắng
- Spanish
- preocupado
- Chinese
- 担心
- Japanese
- 心配な
- Korean
- 불안한
Etymology
From Latin apprehendere, meaning "to grasp or seize," via Old French appréhensif. The psychological sense of "dreading what may come" entered English in the late 17th century.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between apprehensive and anxious?
- Both describe worry, but 'apprehensive' always points to a specific future event, like an exam or a medical result. 'Anxious' is more intense and can exist without any clear cause — a general state of worry or unease.
- Is 'apprehensive' a formal word, or can I use it in everyday speech?
- 'Apprehensive' is slightly more formal than 'worried' or 'nervous', but it is not stiff or academic. It works naturally in both written English (essays, emails) and spoken English. It is a strong word to know for IELTS.
- Should I say 'apprehensive about' or 'apprehensive of'?
- The standard and most common pairing is 'apprehensive about' — for example, 'She was apprehensive about the results.' 'Apprehensive of' is grammatically possible but sounds old-fashioned in modern English.
- Can 'apprehensive' describe something positive, like exciting nervousness?
- No. 'Apprehensive' carries a negative meaning — it always implies unease or low-level fear about something. For excited nervousness, a word like 'anticipation' or 'eagerness' would be a better fit.