How to pronounce apprehend
Say it like ap-rih-HEND. Apprehend has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEND).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce apprehend. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ap
- rih
- HEND
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Apprehend pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- apGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- rihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- HENDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of apprehend
American and British speakers say apprehend in essentially the same way: /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/ in the US and /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/ in the UK.
British respelling: ap-rih-HEND.
What does apprehend mean?
- To be or become aware of (something); to perceive.
- To acknowledge the existence of (something); to recognize.
- To take hold of (something) with understanding; to conceive (something) in the mind; to become cognizant of; to understand.
Where does apprehend come from?
From Late Middle English apprehenden (“to grasp, take hold of; to comprehend; to learn”), from Old French apprehender (modern French appréhender (“to apprehend; to catch; to dread”)), from Latin apprehendere, adprehendere, the present activ
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with apprehend
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of apprehend.
Questions about saying apprehend
How do you pronounce apprehend?
Say ap-rih-HEND. The American pronunciation is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/. In British English it is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in apprehend?
Apprehend has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEND). Broken into parts: ap · rih · HEND.
Do Americans and Brits say apprehend the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/ and the British form is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.