apprehensiveness

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ap•pre•hen•sive /ˌæprɪˈhɛnsɪv/   adj. 

1. uneasy or fearful about the future:
   We were all apprehensive as we waited for the lab test results.

ap•pre•hen•sive•ly, adv. 
ap•pre•hen•sive•ness, n. [uncountable] See -prehend-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ap•pre•hen•sive  (ap′ri hen′siv), adj. 

1. uneasy or fearful about something that might happen:
   apprehensive for the safety of the mountain climbers.
2. quick to learn or understand.
3. perceptive;
   discerning (usually fol. by of ).

• Medieval Latin apprehēnsīvus. See apprehensible, -ive
• Middle English 1350–1400

ap′pre•hen′sive•ly, adv. 
ap′pre•hen′sive•ness, n.