Apprehensive
Adjective
Definition: Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Synonyms: Anxious, Worried, Concerned, Uneasy
Antonyms: Confident, Eager, Enthusiastic
Examples:
- She felt apprehensive about performing on stage.
- The students were apprehensive about the upcoming exam.
Mnemonics:
- "Apprehensive" sounds similar to "apprehend," which means to grasp or catch someone. When you are apprehensive, you are grasping or catching on to anxiety or fear.
Etymology:
Origin:
Late Middle English, from Latin 'apprehensivus', from the verb 'apprehendere' (to seize, grasp, or understand).
Historical Usage:The term has been used in English since the late 14th century and has retained its meaning of fear or anxiety throughout its history.
Related Idioms:
Idiom:
"Apprehensive about the future"
Explanation:This phrase conveys the feeling of anxiety or fear related to something that is yet to come.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Confusing "apprehensive" with "comprehensive."
Explanation:While the two words sound similar, they have different meanings. "Apprehensive" refers to a feeling of fear or anxiety, while "comprehensive" means complete or wide-ranging.