apply

American  

[uh-plahy] / əˈplaɪ /

verb (used with object)

• applies,
  present (3rd person singular)
• applied,
  past participle,  past
• applying
  present participle

1. 

   to make use of as relevant, suitable, or pertinent.

   to apply a theory to a problem.

2. to put to use, especially for a particular purpose.

   to apply pressure to open a door.

3. to bring into action; use; employ.

   He applied the brakes and skidded to a stop.

   Synonyms:

   utilize

4. to use a label or other designation.

   Don't apply any such term to me.

5. to use for or assign to a specific purpose.

   He applied a portion of his salary each week to savings.

   Synonyms:

   dedicate, assign, allot, appropriate

6. to put into effect.

   They applied the rules to new members only.

7. to devote or employ diligently or with close attention.

   to apply one's mind to a problem;

   to apply oneself to a task.

8. to place in contact with; lay or spread on.

   to apply paint to a wall;

   to apply a bandage to a wound.

9. to bring into physical contact with or close proximity to.

   to apply a match to gunpowder.

10. to credit to, as an account.

    to apply $10 to his account at the store.

---

verb (used without object)

• applies,
  present (3rd person singular)
• applied,
  past participle,  past
• applying
  present participle

1. to be pertinent, suitable, or relevant.

   The argument applies to the case.

   The theory doesn't apply.

2. to make an application or request; ask.

   to apply for a job;

   to apply for a raise.

   Synonyms:

   entreat, sue, petition

3. to lay or spread on.

   The plastic coating is easy to apply on any surface.

4. to be placed or remain in contact.

   This paint doesn't apply very easily.

apply British  

/ əˈplaɪ /

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. to put in an application or request

5. 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

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• appliableness
  noun
• applier
  noun
• reapply
  verb
• preapply
  verb (used with object)
• appliable
  adjective
• unappliable
  adjective
• appliably
  adverb
• unappliably
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• applying
  present
• applied
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• apply
  simple
• applies
  simple
• have applied
  perfect
• has applied
  perfect
• am applying
  progressive
• are applying
  progressive
• is applying
  progressive
• have been applying
  perfect progressive
• has been applying
  perfect progressive

Past

• applied
  simple
• had applied
  perfect
• was applying
  progressive
• were applying
  progressive
• had been applying
  perfect progressive

Future

• will apply
  simple
• will have applied
  perfect
• will be applying
  progressive
• will have been applying
  perfect progressive

---

Etymology

Origin of apply

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ap(p)lien, from Anglo-French, Old French ap(p)lier, from Latin applicāre, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ ( def. ) + plicāre “to fold”; see ply ² ( def. )

---

Explanation

Apply means to put on a surface, like to apply makeup to your face before work. Apply also means to ask in a formal way. Long before you applied the makeup, you had to apply for the job. You can apply the word apply to many situations, including when you make use of something — like when you apply the brakes on a car. Apply also means to really put effort into a task, like to apply yourself to learning Greek or reaching the next level on your favorite video game. But then again, maybe those examples don’t apply.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

apply applies applied applying

Separately, the spokesperson said, “We’re committed to working with Florida and other states on advancing pragmatic AI policies that apply to the entire AI industry—not just one company.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Some people have the ability to recognize problems, assess possible remedies, seek wise advice and apply those lessons to their own circumstances.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

"When we apply the model weights to historical simulations, we completely eliminated the positive bias," said lead author Crystal Fu, from Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

He came into the weekend insisting he was going to try to apply the "same mindset as I had all year - one race at a time".

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

Right now, you are a “professional student,” so as you read the material below, apply the criteria to your behavior and professional as a student.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

The judge said Brown's fame, commercial success and professional standing "do not entitle you to special treatment - the law applies equally to everyone".

From BBC ● Oct. 26, 2026

For travelers, meanwhile, the old advice still applies: Before taking the chatbot’s recommendation, check the price somewhere else.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026

AI agent identity applies the same thinking to access.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

He said the question of whether that preclusion against purges applies to the removal of noncitizens is an issue that is currently before the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026

This really applies to both people with and without arms.

From "Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus" by Dusti Bowling

When the researchers applied their improved model weighting to projections of precipitation, they found indications that current climate models may also underestimate future snowfall in southeastern Greenland and rainfall across the Mediterranean region.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 26, 2026

The team applied a technique known as the radial velocity method, which was also used to discover the first exoplanet orbiting a Sun-like star.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

After working at the University of Kentucky’s public radio station, he applied for a job at NPR.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 25, 2026

"It was also a bit nerve-racking as anyone who has applied software updates before would know, there's always a chance than an update can cause other issues," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

All the colleges I applied to accepted me, but none offered me a scholarship or any other financial aid.

From "Facing the Lion" by Joseph Lemasolai Lekuton and Herman Viola

The rule was intended to target cardholders who try to claim bonus points by applying for the same card multiple times.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

The unusual discovery highlights a fundamental problem with applying familiar astronomical labels to objects found in distant star systems.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

"Physical tasks require high-quality signals involving limb movements, fingers, wrists, elbows, shoulders and dynamic force application. For example: applying the correct grip force so a plastic bottle doesn't crumble versus a steel glass," he says.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Immigration lawyers say their clients are facing more intense scrutiny and that some have battled false accusations of fraud after applying for a green card or citizenship.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 23, 2026

They had arrived just before the kitchen closed and were busily applying themselves to curry and rice.

From "A Girl Named Disaster" by Nancy Farmer

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• administer
• employ
• exercise
• handle
• implement
• practice

---