English Dictionary

Definition of “apply”

Browse the English dictionary (A-Z)

apply (əˈplaɪPronunciation for apply) 

Definitions

verb

  1. (tr) to put to practical use; utilize; employ
  2. (intr) to be relevant, useful, or appropriate
  3. (tr) to cause to come into contact with; put onto
  4. (intr)  often foll by for to put in an application or request
  5. (tr)  often foll by to to devote (oneself, one's efforts) with diligence
  6. (tr) to bring into operation or use  ⇒ the police only applied the law to aliens 
  7. (tr) to refer (a word, epithet, etc) to a person or thing

Alternative Forms

apˈplier noun

Word Origin

C14: from Old French aplier,  from Latin applicāre to attach to

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= request, seek, appeal, put in, petition, inquire, solicit, claim, sue, requisition, make application
= be relevant concern, relate, refer, be fitting be appropriate be significant fit, suit, pertain, be applicable bear upon, appertain,
= use, exercise, carry out, employ, engage, implement, practise, execute, assign, administer, exert, enact, utilize, bring to bear, put to use bring into play
= put on, work in, cover with lay on, paint on anoint, spread on rub in, smear on shampoo in bring into contact with
= exert, place, put on,

Translations

  • British English: apply Pronunciation for apply If you apply for something or to something, you ask to be allowed to have it or do it.I am continuing to apply for jobs. They may apply to join the organization.əˈplaɪ VERB I am continuing to apply for jobs. They may apply to join the organization.
  • Spanish: solicitar Pronunciation for solicitar v
  • French: postuler Pronunciation for postuler vi
  • German: bewerben (sich)Pronunciation for bewerben (sich) v
  • Chinese: 申请Pronunciation for 申请 v
  • Arabic: يَتَقَدَّمُ بِطَلَبPronunciation for يَتَقَدَّمُ بِطَلَب v
  • Portuguese: solicitarPronunciation for solicitar v
  • Russian: применятьPronunciation for применять v
  • Croatian: prijaviti sePronunciation for prijaviti se v
  • Czech: podat žádostPronunciation for podat žádost v podávat žádost
  • Danish: anvendePronunciation for anvende v
  • Dutch: solliciterenPronunciation for solliciteren v
  • Finnish: hakeaPronunciation for hakea v
  • Greek: υποβάλλω αίτησηPronunciation for υποβάλλω αίτηση v
  • Italian: richiederePronunciation for richiedere v
  • Japanese: 申し込むPronunciation for 申し込む v
  • Korean: 신청하다Pronunciation for 신청하다 v
  • Norwegian: søkePronunciation for søke v
  • Polish: złożyć podaniePronunciation for złożyć podanie v składać podanie
  • Brazilian Portuguese: solicitarPronunciation for solicitar v
  • European Spanish: solicitar Pronunciation for solicitar v
  • Swedish: ansökaPronunciation for ansöka v
  • Thai: ประยุกต์ใช้Pronunciation for ประยุกต์ใช้ v
  • Turkish: başvurmakPronunciation for başvurmak v
  • Vietnamese: làm đơn xinPronunciation for làm đơn xin v

Usage examples

  • She recalled Daniel's words - this one would apply to Sunday night through Monday.
    Telushkin, Josef, The Unorthodox Murder of Rabbi Moss (1986)
  • SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE Well, let us apply the political theories of the radical Left to the present situation.
    Country Life (2004)
  • The Bill seeks to apply the existing law only to groups of 12 or more.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • It would be exceedingly rare for any of these situations to apply to most tourist outlets.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Pierre and Marie could have taken out patents and got rich, but instead made public their findings for others to apply.
    Jim Leavesley, George Biro, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'A'

Related Terms

0 results

Browse nearby words

Browse dictionary