# apply

/əˈpɫaɪ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apply
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to request a job or place

verb · CEFR A2

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

For teachers: 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.

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

### 2. to be relevant or use a rule

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

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

### 3. to put on a surface

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- You should apply the cream to the burn twice a day.
- The instructions recommend that you apply two thin coats of primer before using the final decorative paint.

### 4. to work hard

verb · CEFR B2

to work very hard and focus on a task.

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

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

## Examples

- I want to apply for a new job next week.
- Students must apply for their university housing before the end of the month to guarantee a room on campus.
- After researching several international firms, she decided to apply for the senior management position, citing her extensive experience in cross-border logistics and team leadership.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.