ap ‧ ply S1 W1 /əˈplaɪ/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle applied , present participle applying , third person singular applies )
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ applicant , ↑ application ; adjective : ↑ applicable , ↑ applied ; verb : ↑ apply ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: aplier , from Latin applicare , from ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold' ]
1 . REQUEST [intransitive] to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as a job, a place at a university, or permission to do something
apply for
She applied for a job with the local newspaper.
We need to apply for planning permission to build a garage.
apply to
I applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them.
2 . AFFECT [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situation
apply to
Do the same rules apply to part-time workers?
The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.
3 . USE [transitive] to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or process
apply something to something
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.
4 . apply yourself to work hard at something, especially with a lot of attention for a long time:
Stephen would do well if only he applied himself.
apply yourself to
Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.
5 . MAKE SOMETHING WORK [transitive] to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something:
apply the brakes
6 . SPREAD PAINT/LIQUID ETC [transitive] to put or spread something such as paint, liquid, or medicine onto a surface:
Apply the cream evenly over the skin.
apply make-up/lipstick etc
7 . apply force/pressure to push on something
8 . USE A WORD [transitive] to use a particular word or name to describe something or someone:
The term ‘mat’ can be applied to any small rug.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ use :
Do you mind if I use your phone?
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They rebuilt the church using local stone.
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We use a range of different methods.
▪ make use of something to use something that is available to you:
Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.
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She made full use of her contacts within the organization.
▪ employ formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something:
The surgeons employed a new technique.
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They employed every means at their disposal (=every available method) .
▪ utilize formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose:
The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.
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a better way of utilizing the space
▪ exploit to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent:
The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
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He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.
▪ apply to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation:
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
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I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.
▪ draw on something to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past:
He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.
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Journalists draw on information from many different sources.
▪ resort to something to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something:
Extremists on both sides resort to violence.
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We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.