Dictionary monolingual
English

Apprehension

ˌæprəˈhɛnʃən
Common
~ 4200
~ 4200
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Apprehension -

Anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

Example: She felt a sense of apprehension before the job interview.
Usage: formalContext: professional settings, academic discussions
Note: Commonly used in formal situations to express a feeling of unease or worry about future events.

The act of understanding or grasping something intellectually

Example: His apprehension of complex mathematical concepts impressed his teacher.
Usage: formalContext: educational settings, intellectual discussions
Note: In this context, apprehension refers to the ability to comprehend or perceive something intellectually.

The action of arresting someone for a crime

Example: The police made an apprehension in connection with the robbery.
Usage: formalContext: legal proceedings, law enforcement
Note: This meaning of apprehension is used in a legal context to refer to the act of capturing or arresting a suspect.

Apprehension's synonyms

anxiety

Anxiety refers to a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome.
Example: She felt a sense of anxiety before the exam.
Note: While apprehension can also involve a sense of unease or worry, anxiety often implies a more pervasive feeling of fear or dread.

fear

Fear is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.
Example: He couldn't shake off the fear of failure.
Note: Fear is a stronger emotion than apprehension, often associated with a specific danger or threat.

dread

Dread is a deep feeling of fear or anxiety about something that is going to happen or may happen.
Example: The thought of speaking in public filled her with dread.
Note: Dread typically conveys a stronger sense of foreboding or impending doom compared to apprehension.

uneasiness

Uneasiness refers to a state of feeling slightly worried or uncomfortable about a particular situation.
Example: There was an uneasiness in the air as they waited for the results.
Note: Uneasiness is a milder form of discomfort compared to apprehension, often associated with a sense of discomfort or disquiet.

Apprehension expressions, common phrases

On edge

Feeling nervous or anxious, typically because of anticipation or uncertainty.
Example: She's been on edge all day, filled with apprehension about the exam.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the feeling of being tense or anxious, rather than the act of apprehending something.

In a cold sweat

Feeling extremely anxious or frightened.
Example: He woke up in a cold sweat, his mind filled with apprehension about the upcoming meeting.
Note: This phrase highlights the physical reaction of sweating due to fear or apprehension.

Biting nails

To be nervous, anxious, or apprehensive about something.
Example: She sat there biting her nails, consumed by apprehension about the interview.
Note: This phrase indicates nervousness or anxiety, often shown through a physical habit like nail-biting.

Heart in mouth

Feeling extremely nervous or anxious.
Example: As he approached the stage, he felt his heart in his mouth with apprehension.
Note: This phrase vividly describes the physical sensation of nervousness or fear.

Jump out of one's skin

To be extremely startled, surprised, or frightened.
Example: The sudden noise made her jump out of her skin, filled with apprehension.
Note: This phrase emphasizes the intense reaction to fear or apprehension, often involving a physical response like jumping.

In a state of nerves

Feeling nervous, anxious, or agitated.
Example: She's been in a state of nerves all week, unable to shake off the apprehension.
Note: This phrase suggests a prolonged state of being nervous or anxious, rather than a specific act of apprehension.

Walking on eggshells

Behaving very cautiously or nervously because of a tense or delicate situation.
Example: After the argument, they were walking on eggshells, full of apprehension about saying the wrong thing.
Note: This phrase conveys the careful and delicate behavior resulting from apprehension in a tense situation.

Apprehension everyday (slang) expressions

Jitters

Jitters refer to a feeling of nervousness or unease, often experienced before a stressful event or situation.
Example: She always gets the jitters before a big presentation.
Note: Jitters specifically focus on the physical sensations associated with apprehension.

Butterflies in one's stomach

This phrase describes the fluttery feeling one gets in the stomach when anxious or nervous.
Example: I have butterflies in my stomach about the interview tomorrow.
Note: It vividly describes the sensation of fluttering or moving butterflies that occurs due to apprehension.

Freaking out

To freak out means to panic or become extremely worried or anxious.
Example: She's freaking out about the upcoming exam.
Note: This slang term indicates a higher level of anxiety and agitation compared to regular apprehension.

On pins and needles

Being on pins and needles implies being in a state of nervous anticipation or anxiety.
Example: I've been on pins and needles waiting for the results.
Note: It conveys a sense of heightened anticipation or suspense compared to typical apprehension.

In a sweat

Being in a sweat refers to being anxious, worried, or fretful about something.
Example: He's in a sweat over the deadline for the project.
Note: This slang term emphasizes the physical aspect of sweating that can occur due to apprehension.

Gut-wrenching

Something gut-wrenching is extremely distressing or anxiety-inducing.
Example: The thought of the upcoming surgery is gut-wrenching.
Note: It describes a particularly intense and deeply unsettling feeling of apprehension.

Nervous wreck

A nervous wreck is someone who is extremely anxious, agitated, or unsettled.
Example: She's a nervous wreck before every flight.
Note: This slang term signifies a state of extreme nervousness and emotional distress beyond usual apprehension.

Apprehension - Examples

Apprehension filled her as she walked through the dark alley.
The apprehension of the suspect was a relief for the police.
He couldn't hide his apprehension before the important meeting.

Apprehension grammar

Apprehension - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: apprehension
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): apprehensions, apprehension
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): apprehension
Syllables, Separation and Stress
apprehension Contains 4 syllables: ap • pre • hen • sion
Phonetic transcription: ˌa-pri-ˈhen(t)-shən
ap pre hen sion , ˌa pri ˈhen(t) shən (The red syllable is stressed)

Apprehension - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
apprehension: ~ 4200 (Common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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