Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

apprehensive

/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.03 in modern English

Syllables
ap-pre-hen-sive
IPA
/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/
22
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
4
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A mood indicating an undesired outcome.

Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: apprehensīvus

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/
  • British English: /ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more apprehensive (comparative) most apprehensive (superlative)

Derived Forms

Synonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce apprehensive?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/.
What does apprehensive mean?
Anticipating something with anxiety, fear, or doubt; reluctant.
Where does apprehensive come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce apprehensive

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “apprehensive”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌæpɹɪˈhɛnsɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “apprehensive”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “apprehensive” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.