apply
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make use of as relevant, suitable, or pertinent.
to apply a theory to a problem.
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to put to use, especially for a particular purpose.
to apply pressure to open a door.
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to bring into action; use; employ.
He applied the brakes and skidded to a stop.
- Synonyms:
- utilize
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to use a label or other designation.
Don't apply any such term to me.
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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
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to put into effect.
They applied the rules to new members only.
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to devote or employ diligently or with close attention.
to apply one's mind to a problem;
to apply oneself to a task.
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to place in contact with; lay or spread on.
to apply paint to a wall;
to apply a bandage to a wound.
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to bring into physical contact with or close proximity to.
to apply a match to gunpowder.
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to credit to, as an account.
to apply $10 to his account at the store.
verb (used without object)
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to be pertinent, suitable, or relevant.
The argument applies to the case.
The theory doesn't apply.
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to make an application or request; ask.
to apply for a job;
to apply for a raise.
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to lay or spread on.
The plastic coating is easy to apply on any surface.
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to be placed or remain in contact.
This paint doesn't apply very easily.
verb
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(tr) to put to practical use; utilize; employ
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(intr) to be relevant, useful, or appropriate
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(tr) to cause to come into contact with; put onto
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to put in an application or request
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to devote (oneself, one's efforts) with diligence
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(tr) to bring into operation or use
the police only applied the law to aliens
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(tr) to refer (a word, epithet, etc) to a person or thing
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing apply
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
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Word Generation Science - Energy
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Appeared in the April 3, 2026, print edition as 'Amazon to Apply Fuel Surcharge Of 3.5% to Third-Party Sellers'.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Apply via the audition form below by midnight Feb. 22 to be considered.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026
When you’re competing for the same position against hundreds of resumes submitted via LinkedIn Easy Apply and you know a human’s eyes might not even make it to your resume, it’s easy to get discouraged.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 9, 2026
This vacuum has left lower-court judges with an unenviable choice: Apply the law as it actually stands today or try to guess how the Supreme Court will change it tomorrow.
From Slate • Aug. 15, 2025
I cranked each option up to its highest setting, then tapped the Apply button at the bottom of the screen three times.
From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
