ap|pre|ci|able /əpriː ʃəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An appreciable amount or effect is large enough to be important or clearly noticed. [FORMAL ]
ap|pre|ci|ate ◆◇◇ /əpriː ʃie I t/ (appreciates , appreciating , appreciated )
1 VERB If you appreciate something, for example a piece of music or good food, you like it because you recognize its good qualities. □ [V n] In time you'll appreciate the beauty and subtlety of this language.
2 VERB If you appreciate a situation or problem, you understand it and know what it involves. □ [V n] I never really appreciated the size of the club and what it means to the community. □ [V that] He appreciates that co-operation with the media is part of his professional duties.
3 VERB If you appreciate something that someone has done for you or is going to do for you, you are grateful for it. □ [V n] Peter stood by me when I most needed it. I'll always appreciate that. □ [V n] I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention it.
4 VERB If something that you own appreciates over a period of time, its value increases. □ [V ] They don't have any confidence that houses will appreciate in value.
ap|pre|cia|tion /əpriː ʃie I ʃ ə n/ (appreciations )
1 N‑SING Appreciation of something is the recognition and enjoyment of its good qualities. □ [+ of ] …an investigation into children's understanding and appreciation of art. □ Brian whistled in appreciation.
2 N‑SING [oft with poss] Your appreciation for something that someone does for you is your gratitude for it. □ [+ for ] He expressed his appreciation for what he called Saudi Arabia's moderate and realistic oil policies. □ [+ of ] …the gifts presented to them in appreciation of their work.
3 N‑SING An appreciation of a situation or problem is an understanding of what it involves. □ [+ of ] They have a stronger appreciation of the importance of economic incentives.
4 N‑UNCOUNT Appreciation in the value of something is an increase in its value over a period of time. □ [+ of ] You have to take capital appreciation of the property into account.
ap|pre|cia|tive /əpriː ʃət I v/
1 ADJ An appreciative reaction or comment shows the enjoyment that you are getting from something. □ There is a murmur of appreciative laughter.
2 ADJ If you are appreciative of something, you are grateful for it. □ [+ of ] We have been very appreciative of their support.
ap|pre|hend /æ pr I he nd/ (apprehends , apprehending , apprehended ) VERB If the police apprehend someone, they catch them and arrest them. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Police have not apprehended her killer.
ap|pre|hen|sion /æ pr I he nʃ ə n/ (apprehensions )
1 N‑VAR Apprehension is a feeling of fear that something bad may happen. [FORMAL ] □ It reflects real anger and apprehension about the future. □ I tensed every muscle in my body in apprehension.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The apprehension of someone who is thought to be a criminal is their capture or arrest by the police. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …information leading to the apprehension of the alleged killer.
ap|pre|hen|sive /æ pr I he ns I v/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Someone who is apprehensive is afraid that something bad may happen. □ [+ about ] People are still terribly apprehensive about the future.
ap|pren|tice /əpre nt I s/ (apprentices , apprenticing , apprenticed )
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] An apprentice is a young person who works for someone in order to learn their skill. □ He left school at 15 and trained as an apprentice carpenter.
2 VERB [usu passive] If a young person is apprenticed to someone, they go to work for them in order to learn their skill. □ [be V -ed + to ] I was apprenticed to a builder when I was fourteen.
ap|pren|tice|ship /əpre nt I sʃ I p/ (apprenticeships ) N‑VAR Someone who has an apprenticeship works for a fixed period of time for a person who has a particular skill in order to learn the skill. Apprenticeship is the system of learning a skill like this.
ap|prise /əpra I z/ (apprises , apprising , apprised ) VERB When you are apprised of something, someone tells you about it. [FORMAL ] □ [be V -ed + of ] Have customers been fully apprised of the advantages? □ [V n + of ] We must apprise them of the dangers that may be involved.
ap|proach ◆◆◇ /əproʊ tʃ/ (approaches , approaching , approached )
1 VERB When you approach something, you get closer to it. □ [V n] He didn't approach the front door at once. □ [V ] When I approached, they grew silent. □ [V -ing] We turned to see the approaching car slow down. ● N‑COUNT [usu sing] Approach is also a noun. □ At their approach the little boy ran away and hid. □ …the approach of a low-flying helicopter.
2 N‑COUNT An approach to a place is a road, path, or other route that leads to it. □ [+ to ] The path serves as an approach to the boat house.
3 VERB [no cont] If you approach someone about something, you speak to them about it for the first time, often making an offer or request. □ [V n prep] When Chappel approached me about the job, my first reaction was disbelief. □ [V n to-inf] He approached me to create and design the restaurant. □ [V n] Anna approached several builders and was fortunate to come across Eddie. ● N‑COUNT Approach is also a noun. □ [+ from ] There had already been approaches from buyers interested in the whole of the group. [Also + to ]