apply
- 01 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.
Simple“She decided to apply for a new job at the hospital in the city.”
In context“After completing her master's degree, she applied to several international NGOs for a position in environmental policy.”
UsageTakes 'for' before the thing you want and 'to' before the person or organization you are asking.
PitfallI 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.
- 02 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.
Simple“These rules apply to everyone in the building, including visitors.”
In context“The new safety regulations apply only to industrial sites constructed after the legislation was passed last year.”
UsageWhen meaning 'to be relevant', it is intransitive and takes the preposition 'to'.
- 03 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.
Simple“You should apply the cream to the burn twice a day.”
In context“The instructions recommend that you apply two thin coats of primer before using the final decorative paint.”
SynonymsAntonymsremovewipe off - 04 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'.
Simple“If he applies himself to his studies, he will pass the exam easily.”
In context“The coach noted that while the athlete had natural talent, she needed to apply herself more consistently during the off-season training sessions.”
UsageUsed reflexively with a pronoun (myself, yourself, himself) followed by 'to'.
SynonymsAntonymsslackenidle
Usage apply new · apply to every property · apply approach
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.
From apple + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.