What does “apply” mean?
- 1
verbto ask formally for something, usually in writing
I applied for a job at the bank.
- 2
verbto be relevant to someone or something
These rules apply to all students.
- 3
verbto put a cream or substance on a surface
Apply the cream twice a day.
Apply at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- B1 (intermediate)
- Pronunciation
- /əˈplaɪ/ · uh-PLY
- Forms
- applies, applied
How to use “apply” correctly
You apply “for” the thing you want and “to” the place: “She applied to Harvard for a scholarship.”
Common phrases with “apply”
- apply for a job
- apply to a university
- apply pressure
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Word family
- application
- applicant
- applicable
“apply” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
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- agent nounB1a person whose job is to act or do business for someone else
- agreement nounB1an arrangement or promise between people, groups or countries
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