Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense applies, present participle applying, past tense, past participle applied
1. verb
If you applyfor something such as a job or membership of an organization, you write a letter or fill in a form in order to ask formally for it.
I am continuing to apply for jobs. [VERB + for]
They may apply to join the organization. [VERB to-infinitive]
Synonyms: request, seek, appeal, put in More Synonyms of apply
2. verb
If you applyyourself to something or apply your mind to something, you concentrate hard on doing it or on thinking about it.
Faulks has applied himself to this task with considerable energy. [VERB pronoun-reflexive + to]
In spare moments he applied his mind to how rockets could be used to make money. [VERB noun + to]
[Also VERB pronoun-reflexive]
3. verb [no cont]
If something such as a rule or a remark appliesto a person or in a situation, it is relevant to the person or the situation.
The convention does not apply to us. [VERB + to]
The rule applies where a person owns stock in a corporation. [VERB]
Synonyms: be relevant, concern, relate, refer More Synonyms of apply
4. verb
If you apply something such as a rule, system, or skill, you use it in a situation or activity.
The Government appears to be applying the same principle. [VERB noun]
His project is concerned with applying the technology to practical business problems. [VERB noun + to]
Synonyms: use, exercise, carry out, employ More Synonyms of apply
5. verb
A name that is appliedto someone or something is used to refer to them.
Increasingly the term is applied to people succumbing to stress in a variety ofpeople-orientated service industries. [beVERB-ed + to]
6. verb
If you apply something to a surface, you put it on or rub it into the surface.
The right thing would be to apply direct pressure to the wound. [VERB noun + to]
Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: put on, work in, cover with, lay on More Synonyms of apply
7. verb
When the driver of a vehicle applies the brakes, he or she uses them to slow the vehicle down or to stop it from moving.
[formal]
They forgot to apply the handbrake and the car rolled 60ft into the river. [VERB noun]
8. See also applied
More Synonyms of apply
apply in British English
(əˈplaɪ)
verbWord forms: -plies, -plying or -plied
1. (transitive)
to put to practical use; utilize; employ
2. (intransitive)
to be relevant, useful, or appropriate
3. (transitive)
to cause to come into contact with; put onto
4. (intransitive; often foll byfor)
to put in an application or request
5. (transitive; often foll byto)
to devote (oneself, one's efforts) with diligence
6. (transitive)
to bring into operation or use
the police only applied the law to aliens
7. (transitive)
to refer (a word, epithet, etc) to a person or thing
Derived forms
applier (apˈplier)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicāre to attach to
apply in American English
(əˈplaɪ)
verb transitiveWord forms: apˈplied or apˈplying
1.
to put on or spread on; place so as to be touching
to apply a salve to the skin
2.
to put to some practical or specific use
to apply one's knowledge to a problem
3.
to refer to a person or thing with (an epithet or suitable term)
4.
to concentrate (one's faculties) on; employ (oneself) diligently
to apply oneself to one's work
verb intransitive
5.
to make a formal request (to someone for something)
6.
to be appropriate, suitable, or relevant
this principle always applies
Derived forms
applier (apˈplier)
noun
Word origin
ME applien < OFr aplier < L applicare, to attach to < ad-, to + plicare, to fold: see ply2
Examples of 'apply' in a sentence
apply
So do export controls apply to your business and how do you protect yourself?
Computing (2010)
The point about charges applies to these too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Use before you apply mascara, or on its own.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
As to the costs incurred, surely they could be better used applied to the homeless.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Plus you're asked when you apply for or renew your driving licence and when you pay your road tax.
The Sun (2016)
He added that the challenges of data privacy and the sharing of data need to be addressed effectively so businesses can apply the data they have.
Computing (2010)
What has been said about drivers also applies to pedestrians.
Randolph, Theron G. & Moss, Ralph W. (contributor) An Alternative Approach to Allergies (1990)
Use generously and apply daily to the greasy areas.
Guyton, Anita The Natural Beauty Book - cruelty-free cosmetics to make at home (1991)
You should ask the head for a copy and ask whether it applies only to fellow pupils.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
These will also apply to your situation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It was about attitude and applying ourselves in the right manner.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
They have now applied to use the house for residential purposes.
The Sun (2011)
There is no pressure beyond the players being asked to apply themselves.
The Sun (2016)
The same situation did not apply to his action against the commercial broadcaster.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
About to apply for the marriage allowance?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Rail restrictions apply please ask reservations for details.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The same situation applies to nuclear power.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Booking conditions apply please ask reservations for full details.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The same mechanics apply to situations where there is an overload of mental activity.
Vera Peiffer POSITIVELY FEARLESS: Breaking free of the fears that hold you back (2001)
His arguments about probabilities still apply.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The policy now applies only to about a third of its people but has produced the problem of a rapidly ageing population.
The Sun (2009)
Of course, not all of these changes apply to all persons and groups in all societies.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
This month the university has its first intake of mobile computing technology, business enterprise and applied theology students.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
We can all do more to manage our time and energy in life by using all the same savvy tools we would apply to any business problem.
Christianity Today (2000)
A 15 per person booking fee applies.
The Sun (2008)
The change to my inner wellbeing came when I applied beauty to business.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This means that the knowledge you gain from this book can be applied in any business situation, although some interpretation may be necessary in specific circumstances.
Harrison, John Finance for the Non-Financial Manager (1989)
Still, the form of reasoning a young person typically applies to moral problems should have at least some connection with real-life choices.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
In other languages
apply
British English: apply /əˈplaɪ/ VERB
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.
American English: apply
Arabic: يَتَقَدَّمُ بِطَلَب
Brazilian Portuguese: solicitar
Chinese: 申请
Croatian: prijaviti se
Czech: podat žádost
Danish: ansøge
Dutch: solliciteren
European Spanish: solicitar trabajo
Finnish: hakea työpaikkaa tms.
French: postuler
German: bewerben (sich)
Greek: υποβάλλω αίτηση
Italian: richiedere
Japanese: 申し込む
Korean: 신청하다
Norwegian: søke
Polish: złożyć podanie
European Portuguese: candidatar-se
Romanian: a aplica
Russian: применять
Latin American Spanish: solicitar
Swedish: ansöka
Thai: ประยุกต์ใช้
Turkish: başvurmak
Ukrainian: подавати заяву
Vietnamese: làm đơn xin
All related terms of 'apply'
apply knowledge
Knowledge is information and understanding about a subject which a person has, or which all people have.
apply foundation
Foundation is a skin-coloured cream that you put on your face before putting on the rest of your make-up .
apply the law
The law is a system of rules that a society or government develops in order to deal with crime , business agreements , and social relationships . You can also use the law to refer to the people who work in this system.
apply a formula
A formula is a plan that is invented in order to deal with a particular problem.
apply a technology
Technology refers to methods, systems, and devices which are the result of scientific knowledge being used for practical purposes.
Chinese translation of 'apply'
apply
(əˈplaɪ)
vi
to apply (to sb) (= be relevant) (对(對)某人)适(適)用 ((duì mǒurén) shìyòng)
(= make application) 提出申请(請) (tíchū shēnqǐng)
vt
(= use)[principle, technique]应(應)用 (yìngyòng)
[paint, polish etc]涂(塗) (tú)
to apply for sth[job, grant, membership]申请(請)某事 (shēnqǐng mǒushì)
to apply to sb[council, governing body]向某人提出申请(請) (xiàng mǒurén tíchū shēnqǐng)
to apply to do sth申请(請)做某事 (shēnqǐng zuò mǒushì)
to apply the brakes (frm) 刹车(車) (shāchē)
to apply o.s. (to sth)致力于(於)(某事) (zhìlì yú (mǒushì))