Apply (Verb)
Meaning 1
Be pertinent or relevant or applicable; "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The new regulations apply to all businesses, regardless of size or industry.
- This rule doesn't apply in emergency situations where immediate action is required.
- The same principles of physics apply on the moon as they do on Earth.
- These instructions apply to all employees, including management and contractors.
- The government's tax incentives apply to companies that invest in sustainable energy.
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Meaning 2
Ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- He applied for a promotion at the company to take on more responsibilities.
- She applied for a visa to travel to her home country for a family emergency.
- He applied for financial aid to help pay for his graduate studies.
- The company requires applicants to apply for the position by submitting their resume and cover letter online.
- She applied for a small business loan to fund her new startup venture.
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Meaning 3
Ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- The new policy will apply to all employees starting next month, regardless of their position or seniority.
- The referee must apply the rules of the game consistently to both teams to ensure a fair outcome.
- To get a visa, you need to apply for it in advance and provide all the required documents.
- The new tax law will apply to all businesses, big or small, and they must comply with its regulations.
- The judge's decision will apply to all similar cases in the future, setting a precedent for the court.
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Meaning 4
Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
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Meaning 5
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"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer".
Classification
Verbs of eating and drinking.
Examples
- Hospitals often apply this medicine to patients with severe allergic reactions.
- You need to apply the parking brake to prevent the car from rolling.
- To make the paint last longer, apply a clear coat on top of the original layer.
- The new policy will apply to all employees, regardless of their position.
- Engineers can apply this technology to improve the overall efficiency of the machine.
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- Strain
- Exercise
- Avail
- Consecrate
- Devote
- Put To Work
- Overdrive
- Recycle
- Reuse
- Share
- Put
- Dedicate
- Resort
- Ply
- Exploit
- Extend
- Misuse
- Give
- Waste
- Play
- Tap
- Fall Back
- Work
- Exert
- Implement
- Address
- Enjoy
- Assign
- Recur
- Cannibalize
- Take
- Pull Out All The Stops
- Misapply
- Cannibalise
- Reprocess
- Overuse
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Meaning 6
Avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Examples
- She decided to apply herself to her studies and graduated at the top of her class.
- The company will apply the new policy to all employees starting next month.
- The protesters chose to apply non-violent resistance to bring attention to their cause.
- When navigating the icy roads, drivers should apply caution and slow down.
- The teacher encouraged her students to apply critical thinking when solving the complex math problems.
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Meaning 7
Be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- This methodology can apply to a wide range of similar projects, yielding similar results.
- The concepts learned in class do not really apply to the situation I am in.
- His methods may not apply to everyone, but they certainly worked for me.
- These laws still apply even in space.
- That metaphor applies more aptly to what's going on today than to anything I can remember in recent years.
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Meaning 8
Give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose".
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- She applied a gentle pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding.
- The nurse applied a bandage to the injured knee.
- The police officer applied handcuffs to the suspect's wrists.
- The artist applied a coat of varnish to the painting to protect it.
- The medic applied a tourniquet to the leg to control the bleeding.
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Meaning 9
Apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- She applied a layer of varnish to the wooden table to protect it from scratches.
- The nurse applied a bandage to the patient's wound to stop the bleeding.
- Apply sunscreen to your skin before going out in the sun to prevent burns.
- The artist applied a coat of primer to the canvas before starting to paint.
- She applied a layer of mascara to her eyelashes to make them look longer.
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Meaning 10
Apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.