Definition of the word apply

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Verb	1.	apply — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; «use your head!»; «we only use Spanish at home»; «I can’t use this tool»; «Apply a magnetic field here»; «This thinking was applied to many projects»; «How do you utilize this tool?»; «I apply this rule to get good results»; «use the plastic bags to store the food»; «He doesn’t know how to use a computer» employ, use, utilise, utilize dedicate, devote, commit, consecrate, give — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause; «She committed herself to the work of God»; «give one’s talents to a good cause»; «consecrate your life to the church» play — employ in a game or in a specific position; «They played him on first base» play — use or move; «I had to play my queen» pull out all the stops — use all resources available; «The organizers pulled out all the stops for the centennial meeting» put, assign — attribute or give; «She put too much emphasis on her the last statement»; «He put all his efforts into this job»; «The teacher put an interesting twist to the interpretation of the story» ply — use diligently; «ply your wits!» address — address or apply oneself to something, direct one’s efforts towards something, such as a question waste — use inefficiently or inappropriately; «waste heat»; «waste a joke on an unappreciative audience» misapply, misuse — apply to a wrong thing or person; apply badly or incorrectly; «The words are misapplied in this context»; «You are misapplying the name of this religious group» avail — use to one’s advantage; «He availed himself of the available resources» overuse, overdrive — make use of too often or too extensively cannibalise, cannibalize — use parts of something to repair something else reprocess, reuse, recycle — use again after processing; «We must recycle the cardboard boxes» exploit, work — use or manipulate to one’s advantage; «He exploit the new taxation system»; «She knows how to work the system»; «he works his parents for sympathy» exploit, tap — draw from; make good use of; «we must exploit the resources we are given wisely» strain, extend — use to the utmost; exert vigorously or to full capacity; «He really extended himself when he climbed Kilimanjaro»; «Don’t strain your mind too much» exercise, exert — put to use; «exert one’s power or influence» enjoy — have benefit from; «enjoy privileges» take — travel or go by means of a certain kind of transportation, or a certain route; «He takes the bus to work»; «She takes Route 1 to Newark» share — use jointly or in common put to work, work — cause to work; «he is working his servants hard» implement — apply in a manner consistent with its purpose or design; «implement a procedure» practice, use, apply — avail oneself to; «apply a principle»; «practice a religion»; «use care when going down the stairs»; «use your common sense»; «practice non-violent resistance» resort, recur, fall back — have recourse to; «The government resorted to rationing meat»
	2.	apply — be pertinent or relevant or applicable; «The same laws apply to you!»; «This theory holds for all irrational numbers»; «The same rules go for everyone» go for, hold concern, have to do with, pertain, bear on, come to, touch on, refer, relate, touch — be relevant to; «There were lots of questions referring to her talk»; «My remark pertained to your earlier comments» lend oneself, apply — be applicable to; as to an analysis; «This theory lends itself well to our new data»
	3.	apply — ask (for something); «He applied for a leave of absence»; «She applied for college»; «apply for a job» call for, request, bespeak, quest — express the need or desire for; ask for; «She requested an extra bed in her room»; «She called for room service» put in, submit — make an application as for a job or funding; «We put in a grant to the NSF»
	4.	apply — apply to a surface; «She applied paint to the back of the house»; «Put on make-up!» put on dab, swab, swob — apply (usually a liquid) to a surface; «dab the wall with paint» daub — apply to a surface; «daub paint onto the wall» cover — provide with a covering or cause to be covered; «cover her face with a handkerchief»; «cover the child with a blanket»; «cover the grave with flowers» gum — cover, fill, fix or smear with or as if with gum; «if you gum the tape it is stronger» dress — put a dressing on; «dress the salads» cream — put on cream, as on one’s face or body; «She creams her face every night» cold-cream — put cold cream on one’s face putty — apply putty in order to fix or fill; «putty the window sash» sponge on — apply with a sponge; «The painter sponged on his washes» clap on, slam on, slap on — apply carelessly; «slap some paint onto the wall»
	5.	apply — be applicable to; as to an analysis; «This theory lends itself well to our new data» lend oneself go for, apply, hold — be pertinent or relevant or applicable; «The same laws apply to you!»; «This theory holds for all irrational numbers»; «The same rules go for everyone»
	6.	apply — give or convey physically; «She gave him First Aid»; «I gave him a punch in the nose» give deal out, dish out, dispense, distribute, dole out, mete out, parcel out, shell out, lot, administer, allot, deal — administer or bestow, as in small portions; «administer critical remarks to everyone present»; «dole out some money»; «shell out pocket money for the children»; «deal a blow to someone»; «the machine dispenses soft drinks» give — give (as medicine); «I gave him the drug» tread — apply (the tread) to a tire administer — perform (a church sacrament) ritually; «administer the last unction»
	7.	apply — avail oneself to; «apply a principle»; «practice a religion»; «use care when going down the stairs»; «use your common sense»; «practice non-violent resistance» practice, use apply, employ, use, utilise, utilize — put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; «use your head!»; «we only use Spanish at home»; «I can’t use this tool»; «Apply a magnetic field here»; «This thinking was applied to many projects»; «How do you utilize this tool?»; «I apply this rule to get good results»; «use the plastic bags to store the food»; «He doesn’t know how to use a computer» follow — adhere to or practice; «These people still follow the laws of their ancient religion»
	8.	apply — ensure observance of laws and rules; «Apply the rules to everyone»; enforce, implement compel, obligate, oblige — force somebody to do something; «We compel all students to fill out this form» execute, run — carry out a process or program, as on a computer or a machine; «Run the dishwasher»; «run a new program on the Mac»; «the computer executed the instruction» execute — carry out the legalities of; «execute a will or a deed»
	9.	apply — refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; «He applied this racial slur to me!» denote, refer — have as a meaning; «`multi-‘ denotes `many’ «
	10.	apply — apply oneself to; «Please apply yourself to your homework» dedicate, devote, commit, consecrate, give — give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause; «She committed herself to the work of God»; «give one’s talents to a good cause»; «consecrate your life to the church»

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

apply

verb

1. request, seek, appeal, put in, petition, inquire, solicit, claim, sue, requisition, make application I am continuing to apply for jobs.

2. be relevant, concern, relate, refer, be fitting, be appropriate, be significant, fit, suit, pertain, be applicable, bear upon, appertain The rule applies where a person owns stock in a company.

3. use, exercise, carry out, employ, engage, implement, practise, execute, assign, administer, exert, enact, utilize, bring to bear, put to use, bring into play The government appears to be applying the same principle.

4. put on, work in, cover with, lay on, paint on, anoint, spread on, rub in, smear on, shampoo in, bring into contact with Applying the dye can be messy, particularly on long hair.

apply yourself to something work hard at, concentrate on, study at, pay attention to, try at, commit yourself to, buckle down to (informal), be assiduous in, devote yourself to, be diligent in, dedicate yourself to, make an effort at, address yourself to, be industrious in, persevere at or with He had applied himself to this task with considerable energy.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

apply

verb

1. To provide as a remedy:

2. To put into action or use:

3. To devote (oneself or one’s efforts):

5. To bring an appeal or request, for example, to the attention of:

Obsolete: sue.

6. To look to when in need:

7. To ask for employment, acceptance, or admission:

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Synonyms

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Apply is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

apply yourself

Etymology is the study of the origin of words and their changes in structure and significance.

Apply

In mathematics and computer science, Apply is a function that applies functions to arguments. It is central to programming languages derived from lambda calculus, such as LISP and Scheme, and also in functional languages. In particular, it has a role in the study of the denotational semantics of computer programs, because it is a continuous function on complete partial orders. In category theory, Apply is important in Cartesian closed categories,, where it is a universal morphism, right adjoint to currying.

Present

I apply

you apply

he/she/it applies

we apply

you apply

they apply

Present continuous

I am applying

you are applying

he/she/it is applying

we are applying

you are applying

they are applying

Present perfect

I have applied

you have applied

he/she/it has applied

we have applied

you have applied

they have applied

Present perfect continuous

I have been applying

you have been applying

he/she/it has been applying

we have been applying

you have been applying

they have been applying

Present tense is used to refer to circumstances that exist at the present time or over a period that includes the present time. The present perfect refers to past events, although it can be considered to denote primarily the resulting present situation rather than the events themselves.

Past

I applied

you applied

he/she/it applied

we applied

you applied

they applied

Past continuous

I was applying

you were applying

he/she/it was applying

we were applying

you were applying

they were applying

Past perfect

I had applied

you had applied

he/she/it had applied

we had applied

you had applied

they had applied

Past perfect continuous

I had been applying

you had been applying

he/she/it had been applying

we had been applying

you had been applying

they had been applying

Past tense forms express circumstances existing at some time in the past,

Future

I will apply

you will apply

he/she/it will apply

we will apply

you will apply

they will apply

Future continuous

I will be applying

you will be applying

he/she/it will be applying

we will be applying

you will be applying

they will be applying

Future perfect

I will have applied

you will have applied

he/she/it will have applied

we will have applied

you will have applied

they will have applied

Future perfect continuous

I will have been applying

you will have been applying

he/she/it will have been applying

we will have been applying

you will have been applying

they will have been applying

The future is used to express circumstances that will occur at a later time.

Conditional

I would apply

you would apply

he/she/it would apply

we would apply

you would apply

they would apply

Conditional continuous

I would be applying

you would be applying

he/she/it would be applying

we would be applying

you would be applying

they would be applying

Conditional perfect

I would have apply

you would have apply

he/she/it would have apply

we would have apply

you would have apply

they would have apply

Conditional perfect continuous

I would have been applying

you would have been applying

he/she/it would have been applying

we would have been applying

you would have been applying

they would have been applying

Conditional or «future-in-the-past» tense refers to hypothetical or possible actions.

Imperative

you apply
we let´s apply
you apply

The imperative is used to form commands or requests.

Present Participle

applying

Infinitive shows the action beyond temporal perspective. The present participle or gerund shows the action during the session. The past participle shows the action after completion.

The translations of apply from English to other languages presented in this section have been obtained through automatic statistical translation; where the essential translation unit is the word «apply» in English.

The map shown above gives the frequency of use of the term «apply» in the different countries.

List of principal searches undertaken by users to access our English online dictionary and most widely used expressions with the word «apply».

The graph expresses the annual evolution of the frequency of use of the word «apply» during the past 500 years. Its implementation is based on analysing how often the term «apply» appears in digitalised printed sources in English between the year 1500 and the present day.

Much of contemporary science is really the length and shadow of the technology we apply.

We made certain that there were decent transitional arrangements to get us to where we wanted to go. The same principle will have to apply here or we won’t get there.

I have always loved lipstick. For women, that love comes from our mother and grandmothers. It’s so natural for a woman to open up her mirror and apply lipstick.

All the teaching I had ever received had failed to make me apply such intelligence as I was possessed of, directly and vividly: there had never been any sunshine, as regards language, in the earlier grey days of learning, for the sky had always pelted with gerunds and optatives.

Efforts to develop critical thinking falter in practice because too many professors still lecture to passive audiences instead of challenging students to apply what they have learned to new questions.

As I got older, with my work, I became aware of the responsibility of film, and I feel one of the best ways I can apply myself as an actor, is to go beyond movie stardom and celebrity.

I take all of my life lessons, which some people might call ‘mistakes,’ and apply them to my future so that I keep growing.

Wherever on this planet ideals of personal freedom and dignity apply, there you will find the cultural inheritance of England.

For we can affirm with a good conscience that we have, after reading the Holy Scripture, applied ourselves and yet daily apply ourselves to the extent that the grace of the Lord permits to inquiry into and investigation of the consensus of the true and purer antiquity.

Each kid has a different level of expertise and some of them are very raw and inexperienced and some are incredibly mature and experienced. So you just have to go with what they are rather than have some abstract technique that you’re going to try to apply to them.

1

Going Lean: How the Best Companies Apply Lean Manufacturing …

Going Lean sets aside the notion that efficient operations and powerful innovations are only possible when business is steady and demand is growing.

2

Eye on Apply: Six True Stories of College Admissions

Follows six high school students, from the spring of their junior year through their senior year, as they navigate the college admission process.

3

Design Thinking: Understand – Improve – Apply

How do they fail? In this book, the researchers take a system ‘s view that begins with a demand for deep, evidence-based understanding of design thinking phenomena.

4

When «minorities are Strongly Encouraged to Apply«: …

This book will help administrators and faculty face the challenge of recruiting and retaining minority students and faculty as they complete their Ph.D.s and gain tenure.

In a time not so long ago, in the days of JIM CROW and NO IRISH NEED APPLY signage, the world made it clear to those regarded as the fringe. «Stay away.

6

The Fundamental Things Apply: A Memoir

In The Fundamental Things Apply, MacLaren recounts the details of his varied life and career with wit and with charm.

7

The Complete Guide to Wood Finishes: How to Apply and …

A revised and updated edition of a best-selling guide features a new design and one hundred new illustrations, sharing step-by-step information on every stage of wood finishing, from preparing surfaces and applying basic stains to using …

8

How to Apply Make Up Like A Professional Make Up Artist

This book has detailed instructions on how to apply make up.

9

Principles to Remember and Apply

An internal feeling of validity suggested that it be shared. The book is intended to spark and expand your own remembrance.Pervading the entire book and central to the material is the idea of God and creation; inseparable as one.

10

Event Management: How to Apply Best Practices to Small Scale …

We all have an idea of what management is, but what is an event? This question and the theories behind the dynamic event industry are summarized in this book.

‘I went to McDonald’s to apply for a job and landed a top modelling …

When Christopher Kellie popped in to McDonald’s, he came out with more than a Big Mac after landing a top modelling contract. Christopher, of … «Mirror.co.uk, Jul 15»

SC allows unwed mother to apply for child’s guardianship

In a progressive judgment, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed an unwed Hindu mother to apply for guardianship of her minor child without … «The Hindu, Jul 15»

McBride to apply for delay in disciplinary hearing

FILE. Suspended Independent Police Investigative Directorate head, Robert McBride wants his disciplinary hearing put on hold, pending a … «eNCA, Jul 15»

Ready, Set, Park! Students to apply for parking at Southeast

If students need one of those, don’t apply for a preferred parking lottery or for perimeter parking. Requests for car pool permits should be made … «KFVS, Jul 15»

House rules apply to Grandma who spoils kids, too

Q: My mother-in-law can’t resist spoiling our kids. Granted she is a great grandmother, but she doesn’t respect our rules and when she watches … «Hamilton Spectator, Jul 15»

Around 700 people apply for Malta’s ‘cash-for-passports’ scheme …

Around 700 people have applied for Malta’s ‘cash-for-passports’ scheme, described as on the most popular schemes run by Henley & Partners, … «Malta Independent Online, Jul 15»

Apply Pay is launching in the UK on July 14, leaked document claims

9to5Mac’s Mark Gurman has got his hands on what appears to be an internal memo from supermarket Waitrose saying that Apple’s cardless … «Businessinsider India, Jul 15»

Fred Leicester: Dear Leicester City owners, I would like to apply for …

I would like to apply for the vacant position of manager of Leicester City. I am the right man for this job. Your search for a new boss is over. «Leicester Mercury, Jul 15»

Anger management courses: apply here

We growl and snarl and occasionally even spit, when one administration after another seems determined to drive us insane with fancy new … «MaltaToday, Jul 15»

Deadline to apply is Aug. 7; Council makes appointments

To serve on a board or commission, applicants must live inside the Tyler city limits and should not have any delinquent city taxes, city utilities or … «Tyler Morning Telegraph, Jul 15»

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- обращаться с просьбой, просить (о чём-л.)

to apply for a rise /амер. raise/ — просить прибавки 
to apply to smb. for smth. — обращаться к кому-л. за чем-л. 
to apply to smb. for instructions — обращаться /обратиться/ к кому-л. за инструкциями 

- подавать заявление (обыкн. о приёме на работу, в учебное заведение и т. п.)

to apply for a job [for the vacant office] — подавать заявление о приёме на работу [на вакантную должность] 
to apply as a teacher [as a typist] — подавать заявление на должность преподавателя [машинистки] 

- использовать, применять, употреблять

to apply a sum of money to the payment of a debt — отдать деньги в уплату долга 
to apply an epithet to smb. — а) употребить по отношению к кому-л. какой-л. эпитет; I would hardly apply the term scholarship to such learning as his 
to apply a hold — спорт. применить захват 
to apply economic sanctions — применить экономические санкции 
to apply an embargo — наложить эмбарго 
to apply the brakes — авт. нажать на тормоза 
to apply pressure to get what one wants — оказать давление, чтобы добиться желаемого 

- прикладывать, прилагать; накладывать

to apply a match to a candle — зажигать свечу (спичкой) 
to apply one’s eye to a telescope — приложить глаз к телескопу 
to apply glass-cups [leeches] — ставить банки [пиявки] 
to apply a bandage to a sore — наложить повязку на болячку 
to apply glue [paint] to a surface — по крыть поверхность клеем [краской] 

- мат. накладывать
- применяться, быть применимым; касаться, относиться

this rule does not always apply — это правило не всегда применимо 
that argument does not apply in this case — этот аргумент в данном случае не применим /не годится/ 
what I said does not apply to you — мои слова к вам не относятся; говоря это, я не имел в виду вас 

- сосредоточить (силы); приложить, направить (энергию и т. п.); посвятить (себя)

to apply oneself to one’s job [to mathematics] — усердно выполнять свою работу [заниматься математикой] 
he applied himself to learning French — он прилежно взялся за изучение французского языка 
to apply one’s mind to a task — внимательно заниматься выполнением какой-л. задачи 
we must apply our energies to finding a solution — мы должны сделать всё, чтобы решить эту задачу 

Мои примеры

This rule applies to all. 

Это правило относится ко всем.

What I am saying does not apply to you. 

То, что я сейчас говорю, к вам не относится.

Wet your hair and apply the shampoo. 

Намочите волосы и нанесите шампунь.

This rule does not always apply. 

Это правило не всегда применимо.

The rule does not apply to this case. 

Это правило неприменимо к данному случаю.

For further information, apply to the address below. 

За дополнительной информацией следует обращаться по адресу, указанному ниже.

I, undersigned, hereby apply… 

Я, нижеподписавшийся, настоящим заявляю…

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