applyap‧ply /əˈplaɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle applied, present participle applying, third person singular applies) 
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.2affect [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situationapply to Do the same rules apply to part-time workers? The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.3use [transitive] to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or processapply something to something New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.► see thesaurus at use4apply 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 to Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.5make something work [transitive] to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something: apply the brakes6spread 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 etc7apply force/pressure to push on something8use 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.
WORD ORIGINapply
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French aplier, from Latin applicare, from ad- ‘to’ + plicare ‘to fold’VERB TABLE
apply
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | apply |
| he, she, it | applies | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | applied |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have applied |
| he, she, it | has applied | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had applied |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will apply |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have applied |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am applying |
| he, she, it | is applying | |
| you, we, they | are applying | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was applying |
| you, we, they | were applying | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been applying |
| he, she, it | has been applying | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been applying |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be applying |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been applying |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "I still haven't received my passport" "When did you apply?"
- Apply the cream in the morning and the evening.
- Apply the lotion evenly over the skin.
- Finland did not apply to join the EC until 1992.
- How many jobs had you applied for before you were offered this one?
- Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
- Many of the restrictions no longer apply.
- On wet or icy roads, apply the brakes gently.
- Some of the children seem unable to apply what they have learned.
- The crystal vibrates when a small electric current is applied to it.
- There are several tests you can apply to find out how old a tree is.
- You can't apply policies designed for a big country like the United States to a small country like Cuba.
- Aisha applied and was told that the dass was already full.
- However this is beginning to apply to classroom video materials too as more and more people today have video machines at home.
- I alternate the direction of these strokes, imitating the direction I use to apply the pastel in the first place.
- It is noteworthy that more than half did equivalent or higher level courses than those they applied for at the institutions we covered.
- The same applies to the male.
- They try to apply pressure on both the masons and the material suppliers.
- Use the brush to soften the outline, then pencil over lips before applying lipstick.
THESAURUS
to use something for a particular purpose: · Do you mind if I use your phone?· They rebuilt the church using local stone.· We use a range of different methods.
to use something that is available to you: · Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.· She made full use of her contacts within the organization.
formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something: · The surgeons employed a new technique.· They employed every means at their disposal (=every available method).
formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose: · The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.· a better way of utilizing the space
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.· He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.
to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation: · New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.· I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.
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.· Journalists draw on information from many different sources.
to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something: · Extremists on both sides resort to violence.· We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.
Longman Language Activatorto ask for something officially to write to someone asking for something such as a job, an opportunity to study at a university, or permission to do something: · "I still haven't received my passport." "When did you apply?"apply for: · How many jobs had you applied for before you were offered this one?apply to do something: · Finland did not apply to join the EC until 1992.
especially British to ask for something, especially money, from a government, company etc, because you believe you have a legal right to have it: · Thousands of people who should get welfare payments never even bother to claim them.claim something from somebody: · The two companies are claiming $500 million each in damages from the government.claim damages/compensation: · Because the accident had not been her fault, Barbara was able to claim damages.
formal to officially ask someone for something or ask someone to do something: · The pilot requested permission to land the plane at O'Hare airport.· Officials in Seoul are requesting the drug dealer's extradition from Bahrain.request that: · We request that all cell phones and pagers be turned off for the duration of the performance.be requested to do something: · Anna was requested to make the necessary arrangements for the convention.
to officially ask someone that you do not know well for something or ask them to do something, especially when you are not sure if they will do it: · Will you be approaching the bank for a loan?· They had approached Barlow to see if he would participate in the charity event.· I have been approached regarding the possibility of selling the building to a startup company.
to ask someone for something such as a job, government money etc that is available, by officially writing to them to say that you want it: · I've put in for a transfer to one of our overseas branches.· All those who lost their jobs put in for compensation.· Students must put in for grants at least six months before their course begins.
someone who officially asks for something such as a job, official document etc by writing or answering the questions on a form: · Ten women were selected from over 30 applicants.applicant for: · Applicants for teacher-training courses need to have at least one year's experience.job/grant etc applicant: · Many job applicants do not know how to write an appealing cover letter.
someone who asks for something, especially money, from the government, a court etc, because they believe they have a legal right to it: · The company will settle the lawsuit and provide compensation for claimants.· Garcia is representing three Spanish-speaking claimants in their case against the state.
to put paint, glue, make-up etc onto a surface to put something such a paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face: put something on: · The paint had been put on too thickly, and it had dripped.put on something: · When you put the glue on, be careful not to get any on your fingers.· Patricia went upstairs to put on some lipstick.
to put something such as paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face - used especially in written instructions on how to use it: · Apply the cream in the morning and the evening.· Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
informal to put something such as paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face quickly and without much care, and usually in large amounts: slap something on: · Mike was slapping jam on a slice of bread.slap on something: · Slap on a coat of paint and it will look good as new.
to use particular methods, knowledge, skills etc · Researchers often use questionnaires in their work.· I can't tell you what to do - you must use your own discretion.use something to do something · The nurse must use her communication skills to make the patient feel at ease.· These new techniques are already being used to produce special effects in films.
to use a method, skill, or piece of information that is available to you: · People asked her why she didn't make use of her musical talent and give singing lessons.· We might as well make good use of his expertise while he's here.
to start to use something, especially knowledge or a skill that has not been used before: · Your knowledge of computers can finally be put to use when the office buys a new system next month.· When governments acquire personal information about people they always try to put it to political use.put something to good use: · I finally feel that I can put all my education to good use in this job.
to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation, activity, or process: apply something to something: · New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.· You can't apply policies designed for a big country like the United States to a small country like Cuba.apply something to do something: · There are several tests you can apply to find out how old a tree is.
to use your authority, influence etc effectively in order to achieve something: · Parents sometimes need to exercise their authority and say "no" to their children.· The Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto or not.· Many people are exercising their right to leave the state pension plan.
also utilise British formal to use something that is available to you: · Employers must utilize their workers more effectively if the region is to become an economic success.
to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past, in order to do something more effectively: · As a teacher, she drew on her knowledge of her own children.· Journalists draw on both published and unofficial information from many different sources.· It was a challenge, but luckily we had the experience to draw on.
to use something as fully and effectively as possible in order to gain as much as possible from it: · Britain consistently fails to exploit the scientific discoveries made in its universities.· The country's natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY We need to apply for planning permission to build a garage.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He has been granted asylum in France. He applied for a patent for a new method of removing paint.
We need to apply for planning permission to build a garage. He has been granted asylum in France. formal (=use them)· Apply the brakes as you approach the roundabout.
· The following year she applied for a nursing course.
(=use them)· There are certain criteria you should apply when buying a computer.
· The number of people applying for entry into the country is increasing every year.
· We could apply for a grant and start a serious research programme.
· I’ve applied for a job at the university.
· A doctor who moves to another state must apply for a license to practice medicine there.
· He asked his father for a loan.
· Why do we not apply the same logic in the way we treat animals?
(=officially ask to be a member)· To apply for membership, simply return the attached form.
formal· Clean the surface before applying the paint with a brush or roller.
· You can apply for an Italian passport if your parents are Italian.
He applied for a patent for a new method of removing paint. (=ask for official written permission)· The company has applied for permission to drill for oil.
· Farmers must apply for permits to use the new chemicals.
· I decided to apply for the position of head teacher.
· I am writing to apply for the post of secretary.
· The same principle applies to all kinds of selling.
· The regulations also apply to new buildings.
· These travel restrictions don’t apply to tourists.
(=it concerns them)· Everyone thinks that the rule doesn’t apply to them.
· I applied for university without any real idea of what I wanted to do.
· I applied for a visa to visit China.
(=used on notices on the outside of buildings) Baby rabbits for sale. Enquire within.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB Baby rabbits for sale. Enquire within.· This also applies to a few P1 units which take a column of C cells end-to-end.· The new Jan. 22 due date also applies to taxpayers in Washington, Mr Keith adds.· That has created a precedent which, it is argued, could also apply to the presidential term.· They were also applying for a television license at the same time.· The directive also applies to objects not returned at the end of a lawful temporary export.· Marginalism also applies to government tax policy.· This also applies, to a degree, to some lower-ranking villages.· When the policy and practice were challenged, the court of appeals also applied the three-pronged Lemon test: 1.
· Both theories apply equally to issues of law and fact.· These dimensions apply equally to employees of new fishnet organizations and to team members working outside traditionally defined business spaces.· All this is quite generally true, it applies equally to motor skills, perceptual skills and social skills.· Whether these characterizations apply equally well in all situations for all philosophical traditions is a question that I leave open.· Many of the above difficulties apply equally to the retirement of a shareholding director.· Antitrust laws should be made to apply equally to all.· The undertaking is applied equally to the House of Lords.· What has previously been said about development applies equally well to the periods of development about to be discussed.
· The terraced house in Station Road, Darlington, is already in multiple occupancy and retrospective planning permission had been applied for.· These arrangements, however, only affect policies that were applied for after the April 1987 deadline.· It can be useful to ask yourself whether the profile that emerges is one that suits the job you are applying for.· But you don't need to apply for or take a Compact job if you don't want to!· I, too, have lost count of the number of jobs I've applied for.· Try and pick out the aspects of your background which make you especially suitable for the job you have applied for.· The more limits you have and the more limits you apply for, the greater the cost.· You may apply for as many different courses as you wish.
· The duty only applies in respect of dwellings and does not apply to commercial or industrial properties.· The public may think the law applies only to the most dangerous offenders, but inmates know otherwise.· This extra bonus applies only to the war boar and not to the Orc rider.· Now, granted, these rules apply only to the smallest kids who are learning the game.· The settlement terms only apply to Los Angeles County.· The changes will apply only to new contracts taken out on or after April 6 this year.· The foregoing analysis applies only to the inclusion of blacks within the Richmond set-aside program.
· However, the advice about seeking professional help still applies.· All the points covered then, both for and against, still apply now, as this unit remains unchanged.· That still applies and it may prove difficult to finance.· Nevertheless the Regulations still apply to such a contract.· Surprisingly, I find that all my reasons for postponing giving birth still apply: I don't particularly like children.· Cynics would suggest that an under-the-counter version of this system still applies - but they would be wrong.· You can still apply to the Rent Officer to fix a Fair Rent for your accommodation.· When this is not as a substitute for the individual fund balance sheets, the argument about incomprehensibility still applies.
· If you live in separate districts you must apply to both the registrars of both districts.· The Bill provides for the right to apply to and have papers considered by the adjudicator.· This applies to, for example, gold, petroleum, copper, iron ore, lead, silver, nickel and zinc.· Careers teachers are advising worried pupils to contact the colleges they applied to directly.· They will apply to almost all workplaces.· It is not legally necessary for the same notice entitlement to apply to both you and your employer.· Courses would have elements which applied to both professional and to amateur musicians.· But how does this ministry apply to today's church?
NOUN· Under my construction, the Act would apply to all customers in all the enumerated places of public accommodation.· And yet there remains the fact, noted at the outset, that the Act applies to violence and violent threats in private.· Keep in mind that the federal Fair Credit Act applies to online purchases as well.· The Act does apply in negligence, nuisance, and actions under the rule in Rylands v Fletcher.· It is unclear whether the Act applies to trespass to the person but apparently it does.· The court ruled that the Federal Advisory Committee Act does not apply to such subcommittee working groups.· Section 2 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act applies here.
· Mrs Thatcher is anxious to apply the brakes.· She saw his physical symptoms as evidence that he was trying unsuccessfully to apply the brakes on a natural evolutionary process.· That's because with intervention stocks rising, the Commission has to apply the brakes.· If the driver does not respond, a back-up system automatically applies the brakes or makes less engine power available.· The same applies to the brakes.· Seasoned observers have no doubt that the vocal response of so many has been instrumental in applying a brake.· Stand by the bicycle, apply the front brake and try to push the bicycle forwards.
· The same principles would apply in the case of a club.· What constitutional considerations apply in cases of libel or slander?· Thus the First Amendment did not apply to this case since the discharge of the teachers was not a state action.· The official departmental view is that no case is exactly like another, and hard and fast rules can not be applied.· In resolving these conflicts, the courts establish legal principles that apply to similar cases.· If this is so, s 7 may apply in some cases.· The same team-based approach was applied in all cases, and it worked everywhere.
· Creditors have applied for a court order to take over and sell the building.· Shariia is strictly applied by religious courts, and even the punishments for violations of the law are specified in the Koran.· It must be applied in our courts.· More habitual bankrupts have to apply to the court after five years and argue their case.· Within a week she had applied to the court for a widow's pension.· He may apply to the court if his right to redeem is disputed.· If they still do not pay, the council can apply to the magistrates court for a summons to be served.· What prospect has the prisoner of redress if he abandons the complaints procedure and applies to the courts?
· This is just like the sweep stroke where we extend the reach to apply more force.· The same argument is supposed to apply now with equal force.· In order to achieve this acceleration he must apply a force much greater than the weight of his ann.· When they pushed at the end of the arm, they were applying force farther from the fulcrum.· The same argument applies with even greater force to the parliamentary candidates - Jones, Thorne, Davis and Gardner.· All, with the possible exception of employer conflicts, apply with equal force to dropout rates from public schools.· Once again Charles applied superior force, and many of the rebels immediately submitted.· If they used a shorter pencil, they had to apply more force because they were pushing closer to the fulcrum.
· He applied for a grant of land and this was sold to him for a nominal sum.· Sniffen said he has applied for other grants but has come up empty.· We applied for a grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund on the basis that its support alone could save the church.· Back in November, the state allowed cities that host major-league teams to apply for special grants for improvements to keep them.· We applied for grants from a number of grant-giving bodies.· Institutions can only apply for one grant per year.· Project staff will help you to apply for the available grants and carry out practical work.· By summer 1990, 44 schools had successfully applied for grant maintained status.
· One of these, a young man called Steve Fields, had applied for a job as a paint sprayer.· There is just one problem: I lied about my age when I first applied for the job because of age-discrimination fears.· I applied for a job on Query and got it.· The teacher, Hett, had applied for a job at another school and had listed the superintendent as a reference.· BHis biggest hurdle, however, may come when he applies for a job.· The speculation might have been premature but Rioch has since applied for the job.· Such a record, which is not erasable, can be held against people when applying for jobs.
· Until recently, however, it was thought that these laws did not apply to the beginning of the universe.· The public may think the law applies only to the most dangerous offenders, but inmates know otherwise.· The second is: is the law we have being applied?· As in many other areas of the law, the standard applied is what the reasonable person would believe under similar circumstances.· In humans, biology grants even more, but the same laws apply.· The state, on the other hand, insisted that the compulsory laws applied to all children, without exception.· By Newton's third law the skin applies an equal force back and the molecule reverses direction.· This law applies to purchases of $ 25 or more.
· To apply for Membership and to claim your free introductory book, simply complete, sign and return the Membership Application.· After I had published a dozen pieces, I could apply for full membership.· Britain has also persuaded our partners to welcome new countries who apply for Community membership.· She says she once applied for membership in the party, but never knew whether she had been accepted.· This does not apply to membership or employment in any public body, e.g., an electricity authority.· A number of other institutions have recently applied for corporate membership.· It was about this time that Fred McKinley was invited to apply for membership.· The Society has also applied for membership of the Association of Independent Museums.
· There is, however, considerable pressure in many parts of the world to apply these methods as screening tests.· Quality assurance must be an ongoing improvement activity applying multiple methods most suited to content. 5.· The Survey's ability to apply vector electromagnetic methods to hydrogeological and other near-surface site-investigation work was studied.· Not everyone agrees that it is appropriate and desirable to apply the scientific method to politics.· The same suggestion applies to methods of establishing the existence and contents of bill of lading telecommunications.· It applied the methods of Kent campus to imaginary grievances in a divided, or divisible, community in Northern Ireland.· In order to apply this method to large-scale problems, we must find the tree T B using the pointers available.· But there is large-scale agreement that the aim is explanation by applying the methods of natural science.
· A developer could go ahead without applying for planning permission, or could even ignore a refusal of permission.· The owner of a sterile racehorse named Cigar said he would apply for permission to replicate the beast.· It also applied for planning permission to dump at another site it owned at Barnahely, Ringaskiddy.· Detectives are applying to magistrates for permission to hold them for a further 24 hours.· The Fowlers claim just 3 weeks after he bought the property, Mr Mackarness had applied for planning permission.· This would require farmers to apply for planning permission as is the case with other commercial or industrial developments.· The final decision on where to apply for planning permission to build is certain to be taken on political grounds.
· The same applies for the post of Sun Microsystems Computer Corp's vice president of marketing.· Three of the committee members have applied for council posts, negating their earlier commitments not to.· I applied for the occasional post that I thought might be interesting, but never heard anything back.· Students are eligible for a loan during the sandwich or placement year and may apply by post.· Originally I'd hoped to apply for Scale 2 posts ... but there are very few jobs, now.· A similar procedure should be applied to all research posts.· Pregnancy is acceptable, but should a woman lose her baby she will lose her right to apply for such a post.· They became close friends, and when Arnet died in 1728 Hooper applied for the vacant post.
· If you have a nose bleed, apply pressure to the nose by pinching the nostrils together for about ten minutes.· Thee government, but it had then successfully applied steady and persistent pressure to force Park to reestablish civilian government.· While applying this pressure, the horse should not move or flinch away.· Super slow-motion replays appeared to show O'Driscoll did not apply downward pressure on the ball.· The government is applying pressure, too.· Bjorn applied pressure in a tense finale by putting his drive on the fairway.· In part, this was because he still thought he could make Stalin behave by applying economic pressure.
· The same principles would apply in the case of a club.· The affirmative action principle could be applied to virtually all economic or social goods.· Puzzle number two is that other changes in financial markets were meanwhile making it easier for such principles to apply.· The same principles apply: accuracy, detail.· Lawrence sought to see how the domain principle might apply in mice.· The shared earnings principle can also be applied to individual pay.· The principle applies even with very small conferences.· You must distinguish the two cases to know which management discipline and principles to apply.
· Britain won an important concession-a 15-year transition period during which the regulation would not apply.· Whose regulations apply to whom and where?· He said the regulations did not apply to the whole building, only to the alterations carried out.· A requirement imposed by regulations shall not apply to any follower of the Sikh religion while he is wearing a turban.· Statutory regulations applying to the industry state that all machines must be fitted with a guard.· This definition does not affect each nation's own definition and the regulation does not apply to trade between member states.· These regulations apply to all personnel on site, including visitors.· The regulations also apply to new buildings and alterations and extensions of existing buildings.
· However, the same rule applies to evening classes as to joining clubs - it must be a subject that really interests you.· But under the arcane House rules that applied, the outcome actually was much closer.· Perform a private lap dance for him where standard club rules apply, e.g. the audience can look but not touch.· No matter how powerful the political interests, the same rules must apply to all.· This rule did not always apply but was judge made.· However, the rule is irresponsible if applied generally.· In other environments the raising and lengthening rule does not apply.· But you lose your head in this crazy hellhole, you do, and different rules apply.
· The circumstances in which section 75 applies are set out in Chapter 23.· Two other caveats: First, what we have discussed in this section applies to service delivery, not regulation.· The Regulations make clear that these sections do not apply to any private companies, whether limited by shares or guarantee.· It would appear that the effect of the section will be to apply a fault based regime to new products.· Accordingly the other subsections of section 4 and section 5 do not apply to section 15.· However, others did not satisfy the requirement and the section did apply with respect to those particular transfers.· We suppose that the Boussinesq approximation may be made and so the discussion of dynamical and thermal similarity in Section 14.5 applies.· If section 6 applies, the contract is void.
· However, it no more obliges me to apply without question your standards to you than mine to myself.· The students argued that the school discriminated against them by applying more lenient standards to minority applicants.· That he went grossly wrong in applying the standard does not mean that the standard as such was inapplicable.· Professionals have to be wary of applying their own standards.· Gradually, I was made to feel unpopular and I applied these new standards to him.
· Plans are under way to apply the technique to other types of cancer as well.· Gandhi applied a technique of combat which turned the traditional docility of the gentle Hindu into heroism.· This issue comprises an extensive effort to apply economic modelling techniques and other analytical approaches to policy issues in a specific sector.· A final problem with applying traditional measurement techniques to white-collar professional groups was that traditional measurement focused primarily on efficiency.· Public awareness of the value of applying these techniques to archaeology has increased in consequence.· Texas Instruments, for example, is finding good success with applying data compression techniques to the training sets.· However, a number of problems confront investigators applying this technique to studies of alcoholic liver disease.· As if to compensate for this, he applied military techniques in the colony.
· The Workhouse Act of 1723 had empowered parishes to apply a workhouse test by denying relief to those who refused to enter.· It is not clear precisely how the Commission will apply these tests.· But the House of Lords refused to apply the but for test.· The claim by the widow was allowed by the court applying the direct consequence test for remoteness.· They would in fact be applying a test for review not dissimilar to the one about to be examined. 2.· As will be seen the courts have not applied this test literally.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- I wish Sam would apply himself a little more to his schoolwork.
- Cosby said Jackson seemed to be applying herself in school but inexplicably dropped out.
- He applied himself to his shoelace.
- If he feels some one is not applying themselves 100 percent, he won't spare reputations or ego - whoever you are.
- It is a consideration which I should have applied myself to the assessment of general damages to favour this plaintiff.
- Most of them applied themselves to their exercise books, their faces contorted with intellectual effort.
- She applied herself to her book but still heard laughing, laughing.
- The aged, heart-of-pine floors glowed under a regular coat of wax, which he applied himself.
- The Secretary of State should apply himself to his own evidence.
- Coach Tony Dungy, once an accomplished defensive coordinator, likes to apply pressure.
- How did you apply pressure to a man you could not even find?
- If you have a nose bleed, apply pressure to the nose by pinching the nostrils together for about ten minutes.
- Keep a thumb lightly on the spool and apply pressure as the lure hits the water to avoid backlash.
- The beauty of C4 is that you can apply pressure or heat and it will not detonate.
- The chance of Damien Gould helping her seemed unlikely in the extreme, unless she could apply pressure on him.
- The government is applying pressure, too.
- Try to apply pressure out towards the ends of your knees.
WORD FAMILYnounapplicantapplicationadjectiveapplicableappliedverbapply
1request [intransitive] to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as a job, a place at a university, or permission to do somethingapply 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.2affect [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situationapply to Do the same rules apply to part-time workers? The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.3use [transitive] to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or processapply something to something New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.► see thesaurus at use4apply 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 to Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.5make something work [transitive] to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something: apply the brakes6spread 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 etc7apply force/pressure to push on something8use 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.