Pronunciations (7)
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/əˈplaɪ/
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[əˈplaɪ]
Pronunciation notes
- Received-Pronunciation
- US
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[əˈplɑj]
Pronunciation notes
- British
- Southern
- Standard
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[əˈplaɪ]
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
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[əˈpləj]
Pronunciation notes
- dialectal
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[əˈplɑɪ]
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
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əˈplaɪ
Verb
To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to apply cream to a rash
He said, and to the sword his throat applied.
To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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to apply funds to the repayment of a debt
To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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We need to apply the skills we’ve learned to solve this problem.
Yet God at last To Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.
To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
To work diligently and attentively.
Usage- Reflexive
- Examples
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My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself.
To address oneself; to refer.
Usage- Reflexive
- Transitive
- usually
- Examples
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sacred vows […] applied to grisly Pluto
On applying to the assessors, I am surprised to learn that they cannot at once name a dozen in the town who own their farms free and clear.
To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" or "at" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.
Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.
More examples (2)
Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.
Southern Pacific Communications Co. (SP) has applied to the FCC for approval of the first coast-to-coast digital data transmission service.
To pertain or be relevant.
Usage- Intransitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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That rule only applies to foreigners.
To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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She was no less skillful in applying his humours.
To visit.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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His armour was so clear, And he applied each place so fast, that like a lightning thrown Out of the shield of Jupiter, in every eye he shone.
Verb
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
- Examples
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use your head!
we only use Spanish at home
More examples (7)
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
be pertinent or relevant or applicable
- Examples
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The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
More examples (1)
The same rules go for everyone
ask (for something)
- Examples
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He applied for a leave of absence
She applied for college
More examples (1)
apply for a job
coat, cover or smear a surface with
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She applied paint to the back of the house
Put on make-up!
be applicable to; as to an analysis
- Synonyms
- Examples
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This theory lends itself well to our new data
give or convey physically
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose
avail oneself to
- Examples
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apply a principle
practice a religion
More examples (3)
use care when going down the stairs
use your common sense
practice non-violent resistance
ensure observance of laws and rules
- Examples
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Apply the rules to everyone
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
- Examples
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He applied this racial slur to me!
apply oneself to
- Broader terms
- Examples
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Please apply yourself to your homework