Meaning of apply In English

• 0 to request something, usually officially, especially in writing or by sending in a form:

  • By the time I saw the job advertised it was already too late to apply.

  • I've applied for a new job with the local newspaper.

  • Please apply in writing to the address below.

  • We've applied to a charitable organization for a grant for the project.

  • [ + to infinitive ] Mandy applied to join the police.

• 1 (especially of rules or laws) to have a connection or be important:

  • That part of the form is for UK citizens - it doesn't apply to you.

  • Those were old regulations - they don't apply any more.

• 2 to make use of something or use it for a practical purpose:

  • He wants a job in which he can apply his foreign languages.

  • The court heard how the driver had failed to apply his brakes in time.

  • If you apply pressure to a cut it's meant to stop the bleeding.

• 3 to spread or rub a substance such as cream or paint on a surface:

  • Apply the cream liberally to exposed areas every three hours and after swimming.

  • The paint should be applied thinly and evenly.

• 4 If you apply yourself to something, you work hard at it, directing your abilities and efforts in a determined way so that you succeed:

  • You can solve any problem if you apply yourself.

• 5 to request something, usually officially, esp. by writing or by sending in a form:

  • to apply for a job/loan

  • She applied for admission to law school.

• 6 (esp. of rules or laws) to have to do with someone or something; relate:

  • The same rules apply to everybody.

• 7 to spread or rub cream, paint, etc., on a surface:

  • She applied the lotion gently to her sunburned arms.

• 8 to make use of something for a particular purpose:

  • As a translator, he was able to apply his knowledge of foreign languages.

  • The driver failed to apply his brakes in time.

• 9 to officially ask for something such as a job, a place on a course, or a loan, usually by completing a special form or writing a letter:

  • Please apply before April 4th.

  • apply for sth I'm applying for a new job.

  • apply to do sth How do you apply to extend your visa?

  • apply to sb/sth (for sth) We've applied to a charitable organization for a grant for the project.

• 10 if something such as a rule, condition, or tax applies, it affects a particular person or situation:

  • Whether you are a shoe store or an internet company, consumer protection laws apply.

  • apply to sb/sth The tax would only apply to meals in restaurants.

• 11 to make use of something for a practical purpose or in a real situation:

  • apply knowledge/techniques/theory Applicants should be willing to learn and apply new techniques.

  • apply sth to sth He applied the knowledge he gained at university to his new job.