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ENGLISH THESAURUS & DICTIONARY

apply

verb

Words like apply

Compare the definitions to choose the right meaning.

115 words · verbSort by

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Related words aren’t always interchangeable. Check the definition before you choose.

MEANING & USAGE

Definitions & examples

01verb

put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose

“use your head!”

“we only use Spanish at home”

02verb

be pertinent or relevant or applicable

“The same laws apply to you!”

“This theory holds for all irrational numbers”

03verb

ask (for something)

“He applied for a leave of absence”

“She applied for college”

04verb

coat, cover or smear a surface with

“She applied paint to the back of the house”

“Put on make-up!”

6 more meanings

05verb

be applicable to; as to an analysis

“This theory lends itself well to our new data”

06verb

give or convey physically

“She gave him First Aid”

“I gave him a punch in the nose”

07verb

avail oneself to

“apply a principle”

“practice a religion”

08verb

ensure observance of laws and rules

“Apply the rules to everyone”

09verb

refer (a word or name) to a person or thing

“He applied this racial slur to me!”

10verb

apply oneself to

“Please apply yourself to your homework”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗