What does "apply" mean?

1. (to request a job or place) to make a formal request for a job, a place at a university, or a visa. 2. (to be relevant or use a rule) to concern a person or a situation, or to use a rule in a specific case. 3. (to put on a surface) to spread something like paint, cream, or medicine onto a surface. 4. (to work hard) to work very hard and focus on a task.

How do you use "apply"?

Takes 'for' before the thing you want and 'to' before the person or organization you are asking. When meaning 'to be relevant', it is intransitive and takes the preposition 'to'. Used reflexively with a pronoun (myself, yourself, himself) followed by 'to'.

Is it correct to say "I applied a job at the bank."?

No — say "I applied for a job at the bank.". When you want to get a job, you must use the preposition 'for' after apply.

apply

US //əˈpɫaɪ// ap·ply

1 to request a job or place (v.)
A2 Elementary

to make a formal request for a job, a place at a university, or a visa.

to submit a formal application for a position, privilege, or legal status. Intransitive; typically takes the preposition 'for' for the object and 'to' for the recipient.

Example

She decided to apply for a new job at the hospital in the city.

Example

After completing her master's degree, she applied to several international NGOs for a position in environmental policy.

Usage

Takes 'for' before the thing you want and 'to' before the person or organization you are asking.
- withdraw
Pitfall

I applied a job at the bank.

I applied for a job at the bank.

When you want to get a job, you must use the preposition 'for' after apply.
2 to be relevant or use a rule (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to concern a person or a situation, or to use a rule in a specific case.

to be relevant or applicable to a particular person or situation; to implement a rule, law, or principle.

Example

These rules apply to everyone in the building, including visitors.

Example

The new safety regulations apply only to industrial sites constructed after the legislation was passed last year.

Usage

When meaning 'to be relevant', it is intransitive and takes the preposition 'to'.
- ignore
- exempt

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3 to put on a surface (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to spread something like paint, cream, or medicine onto a surface.

to spread or exert a substance or force onto a surface. Transitive; takes a direct object.

Example

You should apply the cream to the burn twice a day.

Example

The instructions recommend that you apply two thin coats of primer before using the final decorative paint.
- spread
- put on
- administer
- remove
- wipe off
4 to work hard (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to work very hard and focus on a task.

to focus one's efforts steadily on a task. Reflexive; almost always used as 'apply oneself'.

Example

If he applies himself to his studies, he will pass the exam easily.

Example

The coach noted that while the athlete had natural talent, she needed to apply herself more consistently during the off-season training sessions.

Usage

Used reflexively with a pronoun (myself, yourself, himself) followed by 'to'.
- concentrate
- dedicate
- slacken
- idle

Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *pel- Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ-der. Latin plicō Latin applicō Old French applierbor. Middle English aplien English apply From Middle English aplien, applien, from Old French applier, (French appliquer), from Latin applicō (“join, fix, or attach to”); from ad + plicō (“fold, twist together”). See applicant, ply.

Etymology 2

From apple + -y.

Word family

Verbapply
Nounappliance
Nounapplicant
Nounapplication
Adjectiveapplicable

Idioms1 entry

01
apply oneself
Synonym of strive: to work hard, to complete an activity with good effort and focus.