apply

[ uh-plahy ]

/ əˈplaɪ /

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See synonyms for: apply / applied / applying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), ap·plied, ap·ply·ing.

to make use of as relevant, suitable, or pertinent: to apply a theory to a problem.

to put to use, especially for a particular purpose: to apply pressure to open a door.

to bring into action; use; employ: He applied the brakes and skidded to a stop.

to use a label or other designation: Don't apply any such term to me.

to use for or assign to a specific purpose: He applied a portion of his salary each week to savings.

to put into effect: They applied the rules to new members only.

to devote or employ diligently or with close attention: to apply one's mind to a problem; to apply oneself to a task.

to place in contact with; lay or spread on: to apply paint to a wall; to apply a bandage to a wound.

to bring into physical contact with or close proximity to: to apply a match to gunpowder.

to credit to, as an account: to apply $10 to his account at the store.

verb (used without object), ap·plied, ap·ply·ing.

to be pertinent, suitable, or relevant: The argument applies to the case. The theory doesn't apply.

to make an application or request; ask: to apply for a job; to apply for a raise.

to lay or spread on: The plastic coating is easy to apply on any surface.

to be placed or remain in contact: This paint doesn't apply very easily.

OTHER WORDS FOR apply

3 utilize.

5 appropriate, allot, assign, dedicate.

12 petition, sue, entreat.

See synonyms for apply on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of apply

1350–1400; Middle English ap(p)lien<Anglo-French, Old French ap(p)lier<Latin applicāre, equivalent to ap-ap-¹ + plicāre to fold; see ply²

OTHER WORDS FROM apply

ap·pli·a·ble, adjectiveap·pli·a·ble·ness, nounap·pli·a·bly, adverbap·pli·er, noun

pre·ap·ply, verb (used with object), pre·ap·plied, pre·ap·ply·ing.re·ap·ply, verb, re·ap·plied, re·ap·ply·ing.un·ap·pli·a·ble, adjectiveun·ap·pli·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby apply

applied, applied anatomy, applied kinematics, applied linguistics, appliqué, apply, appmt., appoggiatura, appoint, appointed, appointee

How to use apply in a sentence

My daughter uses the disposable gloves when she applies oily hand cream to her own hands.
Hints From Heloise: New scam tied to coronavirus pandemic|Heloise Heloise|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
So there’s Wilson, stirring up drama this week in an interview with Dan Patrick, detailing the nearly 400 sacks he has taken in his first nine seasons and applying pressure on the Seahawks in an uncharacteristic manner.
The NFL’s top QBs are waking up to their power, following Tom Brady and LeBron James|Jerry Brewer|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
This can be accomplished by the same pauses applied on a larger scale — namely, calls less frequently returned and finding that you have less time to spend with her.
Miss Manners: Time to cut ties with longtime friend?|Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The Cavaliers continued to apply pressure on both ends of the court.
Virginia pulls away from Georgia Tech, tightens grip on first place in ACC|Gene Wang|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

Bidding strategies are also available at a portfolio level, allowing you to apply machine learning to optimize all of your campaigns.
Smart Bidding: Five ways machine learning improves PPC advertising|Gabrielle Sadeh|February 10, 2021|Search Engine Watch
She began teaching herself how to apply makeup through books and videos.
Inside A Finishing School for Transwomen|Sharon Adarlo|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And if he is re-elected, the House advisory rules prohibiting him from voting no longer apply.
The Felon Who Wouldn’t Leave Congress|Ben Jacobs, David Freedlander|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His words apply not only to the Roman Curia at the Vatican but to the entire Church throughout the world.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The idea was to identify what they are and apply them to different snacks, beverages, and foods.
The Science of Ingredient Innovation||December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Based on our conversation, he decided to do more research and apply to at least one small selective college.
Forget the Kids Who Can’t Get In; What About Those Who Don’t Even Apply?|Jonah Edelman|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This, however, did not apply to the waters lying directly around the Poloe and Flatland groups.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
We may apply to it with advantage the spectacles of social reform, but what the socialist offers us is total blindness.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
But the hours are made longer or shorter according to whether too many or too few young people apply to come in.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Let dry, apply a cover-glass, and run glacial acetic acid underneath it.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
This rule however does not apply to travelers walking along a rural highway.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman|Albert Sidney Bolles

British Dictionary definitions for apply

apply

/ (əˈplaɪ) /

verb -plies, -plying or -plied

(tr) to put to practical use; utilize; employ

(intr) to be relevant, useful, or appropriate

(tr) to cause to come into contact with; put onto

(intr often foll by for) to put in an application or request

(tr often foll by to) to devote (oneself, one's efforts) with diligence

(tr) to bring into operation or usethe police only applied the law to aliens

(tr) to refer (a word, epithet, etc) to a person or thing

Derived forms of apply

applier, noun

Word Origin for apply

C14: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicāre to attach to

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

apply

OTHER WORDS FOR apply

Origin of apply

OTHER WORDS FROM apply

Words nearby apply

Words related to apply

How to use apply in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for apply

Derived forms of apply

Word Origin for apply