How Do You Spell APPREHENSIVELY?

Pronunciation: [ˌapɹɪhˈɛnsɪvli] (IPA)

Apprehensively is spelled with three syllables: /æp.rɪˈhɛn.sɪv.li/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short vowel sound /æ/, as in "cat." The second syllable has the stress, indicated by the diacritical mark /ˈ/, and contains the syllabic consonant /r/, which is pronounced with a slight vowel sound. The third syllable is pronounced with the short vowel sound /ɪ/, as in "bit," followed by the consonant /v/ and the adverbial suffix /-li/. The word means to do something with anxiety or fear.

APPREHENSIVELY Meaning and Definition

  1. Apprehensively is an adverb that describes the action of doing something with a sense of unease, anxiety, or fear. It refers to the act of approaching a situation, task, or event with reluctance or nervousness, often due to uncertainty or potential negative outcomes.

    When someone acts apprehensively, they are cautious and hesitant, reflecting their concerns about possible dangers or consequences. This state of mind can be seen in various aspects of life, such as starting a new job, going on a blind date, or awaiting important news or decisions. For instance, a person might apprehensively enter an interview, uncertain about the outcome and worried about not being able to meet the interviewer's expectations.

    The adverb apprehensively is derived from the base word "apprehensive," which is an adjective that describes the feeling of being uneasy or fearful about future events or situations. It conveys a sense of anticipation mixed with anxiety or worry.

    In summary, apprehensively is an adverb that characterizes an action performed with anxiety, unease, or fear. It highlights individuals' reluctance and caution in approaching tasks or events due to uncertainty or potential negative outcomes.

Top Common Misspellings for APPREHENSIVELY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for APPREHENSIVELY

Etymology of APPREHENSIVELY

The word "apprehensively" is derived from the root word "apprehensive".

The term "apprehensive" comes from the Latin word "apprehendere", which is a combination of the prefix "ad-" meaning "to" or "towards", and the verb "prehendere" meaning "to grasp" or "seize".

Originally, in Late Middle English, the word "apprehensive" meant "to seize or arrest someone", particularly in the legal context. However, over time, its usage expanded to include the sense of "to understand or perceive" something, and eventually, it evolved to indicate a feeling of anxiety or uneasiness about something to come.

The word "apprehensively" is formed by adding the suffix "-ly" to the adjective "apprehensive", indicating that something is done or experienced in an apprehensive manner.

Similar spelling words for APPREHENSIVELY

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