How to pronounce apprehension
Say it like ap-rih-HEN-shun. Apprehension has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce apprehension. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ap
- rih
- HEN
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Apprehension 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.
- HENSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of apprehension
American and British speakers say apprehension in essentially the same way: /ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən/ in the US and /æprɪˈhɛnʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: a-prih-HEN-shun.
What does apprehension mean?
- The physical act of seizing or taking hold of (something); seizing.
- The act of seizing or taking by legal process; arrest.
- Perception; the act of understanding using one's intellect without affirming, denying, or passing any judgment
Where does apprehension come from?
Borrowed from Latin apprehensio, apprehensionis, compare with French appréhension.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with apprehension
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of apprehension.
Questions about saying apprehension
How do you pronounce apprehension?
Say ap-rih-HEN-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən/. In British English it is /æprɪˈhɛnʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in apprehension?
Apprehension has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (HEN). Broken into parts: ap · rih · HEN · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say apprehension the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌæprɪˈhɛnʃən/ and the British form is /æprɪˈhɛnʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.