Word
applicable
Phoneticsap·pli·ca·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæpɫəkəbəɫ/
UK/ɐplˈɪkəbəl/
Definition
adj. relevant or useful for a particular situation. You use this to say that a rule, law, or idea fits the specific thing you are talking about.
adj. relevant or appropriate to a specific situation or person. Often used in legal, administrative, or technical contexts to indicate that a provision or rule has a valid connection to the case at hand.
Examples
“This rule is only applicable to new employees.”
“Please fill out the entire form and write 'N/A' in any sections that are not applicable to you.”
“The court must first determine whether the local statutes are applicable to a maritime dispute occurring outside of territorial waters before proceeding with the trial.”
Examples
simple
“This rule is only applicable to new employees.”
contextual
“Please fill out the entire form and write 'N/A' in any sections that are not applicable to you.”
complex
“The court must first determine whether the local statutes are applicable to a maritime dispute occurring outside of territorial waters before proceeding with the trial.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “applicable” in context.
Adjective
01. directly applicable
“The skills you learned in your previous job are directly applicable to this new role.”
adv + adj
02. generally applicable
“These safety guidelines are generally applicable to all laboratory environments.”
adv + adj
03. particularly applicable
“This specific clause of the contract is particularly applicable to freelance consultants.”
adv + adj
Usage
Commonly followed by the preposition 'to'. Often used in the negative form 'not applicable' or abbreviated as 'N/A' on official documents.
Pitfall
This law is applicable for everyone.
This law is applicable to everyone.
The adjective 'applicable' typically takes the preposition 'to' rather than 'for' when indicating the target group or situation.
Real-World Examples
“Tools that help athletes achieve specific training goals may not be applicable to recreational athletes.” “The researchers also developed a systematic and broadly applicable framework for connecting the physical structure of brain cells with what those cells are capable of computing.” Etymology
From Old French applicable, from Medieval Latin applicabilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/applicable