Definition Definition

apply - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'apply' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Apply [ v. i.]
- To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case.
- To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information.
- To ply; to move.
- To apply or address one's self; to give application; to attend closely (to).
2 . Apply [ v. t.]
- To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); -- with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
- To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.
- To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person.
- To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.
- To direct or address.
- To betake; to address; to refer; -- used reflexively.
- To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
- To visit.

Meaning of 'apply' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . apply [ v]
Meaning (1):
- put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
Example in sentence:
  • Apply a magnetic field here;
  • He doesn't know how to use a computer;
  • How do you utilize this tool?;
  • I apply this rule to get good results;
  • I can't use this tool;
  • This thinking was applied to many projects;
  • use the plastic bags to store the food;
  • use your head!;
  • we only use Spanish at home
Meaning (2):
- avail oneself to
Example in sentence:
  • apply a principle;
  • practice a religion;
  • practice non-violent resistance;
  • use care when going down the stairs;
  • use your common sense
Meaning (3):
- ask (for something)
Example in sentence:
  • apply for a job;
  • He applied for a leave of absence;
  • She applied for college
Meaning (4):
- ensure observance of laws and rules
Example in sentence:
  • Apply the rules to everyone
Meaning (5):
- apply to a surface
Example in sentence:
  • daub paint onto the wall;
  • Put on make-up!;
  • She applied paint to the back of the house
Meaning (6):
- refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
Example in sentence:
  • He applied this racial slur to me!
Meaning (7):
- give or convey physically
Example in sentence:
  • I gave him a punch in the nose;
  • She gave him First Aid
Meaning (8):
- apply oneself to
Example in sentence:
  • Please apply yourself to your homework
Meaning (9):
- be pertinent or relevant or applicable
Example in sentence:
  • The same laws apply to you!;
  • The same rules go for everyone;
  • This theory holds for all irrational numbers
Meaning (10):
- be applicable to; as to an analysis
Example in sentence:
  • This theory lends itself well to our new data

Nearby Words:

appair appalachian appall appalled appalling appallment appanage appanagist apparaillyng apparatus

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