apply

[ uh-plahy ]

/ əˈplaɪ /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR apply 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.

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

SYNONYMS FOR apply

3 utilize.

5 appropriate, allot, assign, dedicate.

12 petition, sue, entreat.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR apply ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM apply

ap·pli·a·ble, adjective ap·pli·a·ble·ness, noun ap·pli·a·bly, adverb ap·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, adjective un·ap·pli·a·bly, adverb

Words nearby apply

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

Example sentences from the Web for apply

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
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 deal does not apply to anyone who has come to this country recently,” Obama said.

Will 5 Million Undocumented Immigrants Take Obama's Tough Love Immigration Deal? |Ruben Navarrette Jr. |November 21, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Crooks can use it to apply for credit, file fake claims with insurers, or buy drugs and medical equipment that can be resold.

How Your Pacemaker Will Get Hacked |Kaiser Health News |November 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Asitunan lag diyútay ug mahuswà ang kútiks, Just apply a little acetone on it, and the nail polish will come off.

A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan |John U. Wolff
Miss Mitford says somewhere,—to no one better than to herself does this apply.

Our Village |Mary Russell Mitford
But I know not how to apply the word in this sense to unity.

Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies |Samuel Johnson
Article 10 reserves the rights of Poland and declares that this Agreement shall not apply to her.

A Revision of the Treaty |John Maynard Keynes
Sometimes it may be necessary to scarify the gums, or to apply leeches to them.

Popular Technology, Vol. I (of 2) |Edward Hazen

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 use the 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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

apply

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

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

Origin of apply

SYNONYMS FOR apply

OTHER WORDS FROM apply

Words nearby apply

Example sentences from the Web for apply

British Dictionary definitions for apply

verb -plies, -plying or -plied

Derived forms of apply

Word Origin for apply

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

apply

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

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

Origin of apply

SYNONYMS FOR apply

OTHER WORDS FROM apply

Words nearby apply

Words related to apply

Example sentences from the Web for apply

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for apply

verb -plies, -plying or -plied

Derived forms of apply

Word Origin for apply

British Dictionary definitions for apply