apply
(redirected from applies)Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms.
ap·ply
(ə-plī′)v. ap·plied, ap·ply·ing, ap·plies
v.tr.
1. To bring into contact with something; put on: applied glue sparingly to the paper.
2. To put to or adapt for a special use: applies all her money to her mortgage.
3. To put into action: applied the brakes.
4. To engage (oneself) in a task with close attention or persistence: applied myself to my studies.
v.intr.
1. To be pertinent or relevant: a rule that applies to everyone.
2. To request or seek assistance, employment, or admission: applied for unemployment benefits; will apply to college next year.
[Middle English applien, from Old French aplier, from Latin applicāre, to affix : ad-, ad- + plicāre, to fold together; see plek- in Indo-European roots.]
ap·pli′a·ble adj.
ap·pli′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
apply
(əˈplaɪ)vb, -plies, -plying or -plied
1. (tr) to put to practical use; utilize; employ
2. (intr) to be relevant, useful, or appropriate
3. (tr) to cause to come into contact with; put onto
4. (often foll by: for) to put in an application or request
5. (often foll by: to) to devote (oneself, one's efforts) with diligence
6. (tr) to bring into operation or use: the police only applied the law to aliens.
7. (tr) to refer (a word, epithet, etc) to a person or thing
[C14: from Old French aplier, from Latin applicāre to attach to]
apˈplier n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ap•ply
(əˈplaɪ)v. -plied, -ply•ing. v.t.
1. to make use of as relevant or suitable: to apply a theory to a problem.
2. to put to use: to apply pressure to open a door.
3. to use (a label or other designation): Don't apply that term to me.
4. to assign to a specific purpose: applied part of his salary to savings.
5. to put into effect: applied the rules.
6. to employ diligently: to apply oneself to a task.
7. to lay or spread on: to apply paint to a wall.
8. to bring into contact: to apply a match to gunpowder.
v.i. 9. to be pertinent or suitable: The theory doesn't apply.
10. to make an application or request: applied to college.
11. to spread: The paint applies smoothly.
[1350–1400; Middle English ap(p)lien < Anglo-French, Old French ap(p)lier < Latin applicāre=up- ap-1 + plicāre to fold; see ply2]
ap•pli′a•ble, adj.
ap•pli′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
apply
1. request formally
If you apply to have something or apply for something, you write asking formally to be allowed to have it or do it.
I've applied for another job.
Sally and Jack applied to adopt another child.
2. another meaning of 'apply'
Apply has another meaning. If you apply something to a surface, you put it onto the surface or rub it into it. This is a formal use of apply, which often occurs in written instructions.
Apply the cream evenly.
She applied a little make-up.
In conversation and in most kinds of writing, don't say that you apply something. You say that you put it on, rub it on, rub it in, or spread it on.
She put some cream on to soothe her sunburn.
Rub in some oil to darken it.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
apply
Past participle: applied
Gerund: applying
Imperative |
---|
apply |
apply |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
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" 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" cannibalise, cannibalize - use parts of something to repair something else 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" 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" 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" |
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" 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" | |
4. | apply - apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!" 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" | |
5. | apply - be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data" | |
6. | apply - give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose" 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" 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"; 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!" | |
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.
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
verb1. To provide as a remedy:
2. To put into action or use:
3. To devote (oneself or one's efforts):
4. To be pertinent:
Idioms: have a bearing on, have to do with.
5. To bring an appeal or request, for example, to the attention of:
Obsolete: sue.
6. To look to when in need:
Idioms: fall back on, have recourse to.
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.
Translations
انطبق علىطبّق علىيَتَقَدَّمُ بِطَلَبيَسْتَخْدِم، يَسْتَغِّليُطَبِّق
mít platnostpodat žádostpoužítpřiložittýkat se
ansøgeanvendebrugegældepåføre
hakea
prijaviti se
alkalmaz
beitabera á; leggja viîeiga viîgildasækja um
申し込む
신청하다
ant žaizdos dedami vaistaigaliotikandidataspanaudotipareiškimas
attiektiesgrieztieslietotlūgtpielietot
nanestiprijaviti seuporabitiveljatizaprositi
ansöka
ประยุกต์ใช้
làm đơn xin
apply
[əˈplaɪ]A. VT
1. [+ ointment, paint etc] → aplicar (to a) to apply heat to a surface (Tech) → exponer una superficie al calor (Med) → calentar una superficie
to apply a match to sth → prender fuego a algo con una cerilla
to apply a match to sth → prender fuego a algo con una cerilla
B. VI
1. (= be relevant) → ser aplicable, ser pertinente
cross out what does not apply → táchese lo que no proceda
to apply to (= be applicable to) → ser aplicable a, referirse a
the law applies to everybody → la ley es aplicable a or de obligado cumplimiento para todos
this rule doesn't apply to us → esta norma no nos afecta
cross out what does not apply → táchese lo que no proceda
to apply to (= be applicable to) → ser aplicable a, referirse a
the law applies to everybody → la ley es aplicable a or de obligado cumplimiento para todos
this rule doesn't apply to us → esta norma no nos afecta
2. (for job, audition) → presentarse
are you applying? → ¿te vas a presentar?
"please apply at the office" → diríjanse a la oficina
to apply to sb → dirigirse a algn, acudir a algn
to apply for [+ scholarship, grant, assistance] → solicitar, pedir; [+ job] → solicitar, presentarse a
"patent applied for" → patente en trámite
to apply to sb for sth → solicitar algo a algn
see also within
are you applying? → ¿te vas a presentar?
"please apply at the office" → diríjanse a la oficina
to apply to sb → dirigirse a algn, acudir a algn
to apply for [+ scholarship, grant, assistance] → solicitar, pedir; [+ job] → solicitar, presentarse a
"patent applied for" → patente en trámite
to apply to sb for sth → solicitar algo a algn
see also within
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
apply
[əˈplaɪ] vt
(= put into practice) [+ rule, technology, principle] → appliquer, mettre en pratique
to apply sth to sth [+ theory, technique] → appliquer qch à qch; [+ pressure] → exercer une pression sur, faire pression sur qn
to apply sth to sth [+ theory, technique] → appliquer qch à qch; [+ pressure] → exercer une pression sur, faire pression sur qn
to apply o.s. to sth → s'appliquer à qch
vi
(= ask) → postuler, poser sa candidature
to apply to sb [+ council, person, governing body] → s'adresser à qn
to apply for sth [+ permit, grant, membership] → faire une demande en vue d'obtenir qch; [+ job, post] → poser sa candidature pour qch, postuler à qch
to apply to do sth → postuler pour faire qch, poser sa candidature pour faire qch
to apply to sb [+ council, person, governing body] → s'adresser à qn
to apply for sth [+ permit, grant, membership] → faire une demande en vue d'obtenir qch; [+ job, post] → poser sa candidature pour qch, postuler à qch
to apply to do sth → postuler pour faire qch, poser sa candidature pour faire qch
(= be applicable) → s'appliquer
This graph no longer applies
BUT Ce graphique n'est plus applicable.
to apply to sb (= be applicable) → s'appliquer à qn, être valable pour qn
This rule doesn't apply to us → Ce règlement ne s'applique pas à nous.
This graph no longer applies
BUT Ce graphique n'est plus applicable.
to apply to sb (= be applicable) → s'appliquer à qn, être valable pour qn
This rule doesn't apply to us → Ce règlement ne s'applique pas à nous.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
apply
vt paint, ointment, lotion etc → auftragen (→ to auf +acc), → applizieren (spec); dressing, plaster → anlegen, applizieren (spec); force, pressure, theory, rules → anwenden (→ to auf +acc); knowledge, skills → verwenden (to für), anwenden (→ to auf +acc); funds → verwenden (to für), gebrauchen (to für); brakes → betätigen; results, findings → verwerten (to für); one’s attention, efforts → zuwenden (→ to +dat), → richten (→ to auf +acc); embargo, sanctions → verhängen (→ to über +acc); to apply oneself/one’s mind (to something) → sich/seinen Kopf (inf) → (bei etw) anstrengen; that term can be applied to many things → dieser Begriff kann auf viele Dinge angewendet werden or trifft auf viele Dinge zu
vi
(= make an application) → sich bewerben (for um, für); to apply to somebody for something → sich an jdn wegen etw wenden; (for job, grant also) → sich bei jdm für or um etw bewerben; (for loan, grant also) → bei jdm etw beantragen; no-one applied for the reward → keiner hat sich für die Belohnung gemeldet; apply at the office/next door/within → Anfragen im Büro/nebenan/im Laden; she has applied to college/university → sie hat sich um einen Studienplatz beworben
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
apply
[əˈplaɪ]1. vt to apply (to) (ointment) → applicare (su), spalmare (su); (plaster) → mettere (su), applicare (su); (paint) → dare (a), stendere (su); (rule, law, theory) → applicare (a)
to apply one's knowledge to sth → servirsi delle proprie nozioni per qc
to apply one's mind to a problem → concentrarsi su un problema
to apply o.s. (to one's studies) → applicarsi (nello studio)
to apply the brakes → azionare i freni, frenare
to apply one's knowledge to sth → servirsi delle proprie nozioni per qc
to apply one's mind to a problem → concentrarsi su un problema
to apply o.s. (to one's studies) → applicarsi (nello studio)
to apply the brakes → azionare i freni, frenare
2. vi
a. (be applicable) to apply (to) → applicarsi (a), essere valido/a (per); (be suitable for, relevant to) → riguardare, riferirsi (a)
the law applies to everybody → la legge è valida or vale per tutti
the law applies to everybody → la legge è valida or vale per tutti
b. (request) → fare or presentare domanda
to apply for a job → fare domanda d'impiego
to apply for a visa → chiedere un visto
to apply to a university → fare domanda d'ammisione all'università
to apply to sb for sth → rivolgersi a qn per qc
to apply for a job → fare domanda d'impiego
to apply for a visa → chiedere un visto
to apply to a university → fare domanda d'ammisione all'università
to apply to sb for sth → rivolgersi a qn per qc
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
apply
(əˈplai) verb1. (with to) to put (something) on or against something else. to apply ointment to a cut.
2. (with to) to use (something) for some purpose. He applied his wits to planning their escape.
3. (with for) to ask for (something) formally. You could apply (to the manager) for a job.
4. (with to) to concern. This rule does not apply to him.
5. to be in force. The rule doesn't apply at weekends.
apˈpliance (əˈplai-) noun an instrument or tool used for a particular job. washing-machines and other electrical appliances.
ˈapplicable (ˈӕpli-) adjectiveThis rule is not applicable (to me) any longer.
ˌapplicaˈbility nounˈapplicant (ˈӕpli-) noun
a person who applies (for a job etc). There were two hundred applicants for the job.
ˌappliˈcation (ӕpli-) noun1. a formal request; an act of applying. several applications for the new job; The syllabus can be obtained on application to the headmaster.
2. hard work. He has got a good job through sheer application.
3. an ointment etc applied to a cut, wound etc.
apply oneself/one's mind (with to) to give one's full attention or energy (to a task etc). If he would apply himself he could pass his exams.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
apply
→ يَتَقَدَّمُ بِطَلَب podat žádost ansøge bewerben (sich) υποβάλλω αίτηση solicitar hakea postuler prijaviti se richiedere 申し込む 신청하다 solliciteren søke złożyć podanie candidatar-se, solicitar применять ansöka ประยุกต์ใช้ başvurmak làm đơn xin 申请Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
apply
vt. aplicar, solicitar, requerir.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
apply
vt (pret & pp applied) aplicar; (for insurance, etc.) solicitarEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.