Meaning & use
apply
Last updated
Meanings
verbintransitive
To make a formal request, usually in writing, for a job, place, loan or permit.
Grammar: Takes for after it: apply for a visa. Use to before the organization: apply to a university.
Patterns
- apply for something
- apply to someone
- apply to do something
She applied for a scholarship before the deadline.
He plans to apply to three universities in the fall.
You must apply in person for a new passport.
verbtransitive
To use a rule, idea, skill or method in a particular situation.
Grammar: Takes an object: apply the rule. Often followed by to: apply the rule to every case.
Patterns
- apply something to something
- apply yourself
Engineers apply math to the design of bridges.
The teacher applied the same rules to every student.
Try to apply what you learned in class to everyday problems.
verbtransitive
To spread or put a substance such as paint, cream or glue onto a surface.
Grammar: Takes an object and is often followed by to or onto: apply cream to the skin.
Patterns
- apply something to something
- apply something evenly
Apply two coats of paint to the fence.
She applied sunscreen before going outside.
The nurse applied a bandage to the cut.
verbintransitive
To be relevant to or true for a person, group or situation.
Grammar: No object; often followed by to: the rule applies to everyone.
Patterns
- apply to someone
- apply in some cases
The discount applies only to online orders.
These safety rules apply to all visitors.
Does this offer apply to students?
Word forms
| third person singular | applies |
|---|---|
| past tense | applied |
| past participle | applied |
| -ing form | applying |
Common combinations
- apply for a job
- She plans to apply for a job at the hospital.
- apply pressure
- Apply pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
- apply the brakes
- The driver applied the brakes just in time.
- apply a rule
- The referee applied the rule strictly.
- apply yourself
- If you apply yourself, you will pass the exam.
- apply online
- You can apply online in ten minutes.
Synonyms and how they differ
- request
- Request is a general verb for asking for something, while apply for suggests a formal process with a form.
- use
- Use is plain and covers any purpose, while apply to suggests using something on a specific case.
- spread
- Spread means to cover a surface with a substance, and apply adds the idea of a careful or deliberate action.
- concern
- Concern can mean to be about someone, while apply to focuses on whether a rule or statement is true for them.
Opposites
Word family
- application noun
- a formal request, or a use, or a phone program
- applicant noun
- a person who applies for something
- applied adjective
- used in practice rather than theory, as in applied science
- applicable adjective
- relevant or able to be used in a situation
- appliance noun
- a machine for use in the home
Commonly confused: apply or imply? apply or reply?
apply vs imply
Imply means to suggest something without saying it, while apply means to request, use or spread; they differ by only one letter.
apply vs reply
Reply means to answer, and although it looks like apply it has no connection with requests or use.
Practice
Maya decided to ______ for a place on the university's marine biology course.
Choose one answer.
Apply for something means to make a formal request for it, such as a place on a course. Reply for would not be a sensible phrase, as reply means to answer.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “apply”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.