Apply

/əˈplaɪ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To make a formal request or application for something (such as a job or admission).

She decided to apply for the graduate program at the university.

To put to use, especially for a particular purpose.

You need to apply your knowledge of mathematics to solve these problems.

To bring a rule, principle, or method into operation or effect.

The teacher helped students learn how to apply the formula in real-life situations.

To put pressure or effort on someone or something.

The engineers need to apply more force to lift the structure.

To have relevance or validity in a certain context.

These guidelines apply to all employees of the company.

Middle French 'applier', from Latin 'applicare', meaning 'to attach or join'.

apply for

To make a formal request for something (like a job or permission).

apply oneself

To put in effort or dedication towards a task or study.

apply pressure

To exert influence or force to achieve a result.

application

The act of applying or a formal request, often in written form.

applicant

A person who applies for something, typically a job or admission.

applicable

Relevant or appropriate to a particular situation.

To use or implement something informally.

I'm gonna apply some of those hacks I learned online.

To throw oneself into an activity or hobby.

He really applied hard to his new gaming strategy.