applicable
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of applicable
First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin applic(āre) “to apply ” + -able, or from Middle French applicable, Medieval Latin applicābilis; replacing late Middle English appliable
Explanation
If something's applicable, it matters in a certain case: it's relevant. If we're going to have rules, shouldn't they be applicable to everyone? Is the idea that there's only one correct way to pronounce a word applicable when it comes to applicable? There's some disagreement about this among the experts, but you'll hear people pronounce applicable two ways: with emphasis on “app” or with emphasis on “plic.” So take your pick and use this word confidently wherever it's applicable.
Vocabulary lists containing applicable
Power Suffix: -able
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-able
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Ten Words from The New York Times - Apr. 24, 2013
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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.
Your father-in-law’s capital gain on the home sale is well below the applicable exclusion.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 22, 2026
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a certificate confirming the largest plane in the MAX family "complies with all applicable design and safety requirements," a Department of Transportation press release said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 20, 2026
A White House official said Bo Hines was no longer a White House employee and that the administration expects its staff to comply with all applicable federal ethics laws and regulations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Deloitte Cyprus said it "acts in compliance with applicable laws".
From BBC ● Oct. 12, 2026
Everyone forgets how long and hard the work must be before the really important applications become applicable.
From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
