apply
[verb]
Synonyms:
- request, appeal, claim, inquire, petition, put in, requisition
- use, bring to bear, carry out, employ, exercise, exert, implement, practise, utilize
- put on, cover with, lay on, paint, place, smear, spread on
- be relevant, be applicable, be appropriate, bear upon, be fitting, fit, pertain, refer, relate
- apply oneself: try, be diligent, buckle down (informal), commit oneself, concentrate, dedicate oneself, devote oneself, persevere, work hard

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Contrasted words: let slide, neglect, pass over, slight
Related Idioms: burn the midnight oil, keep one's nose to the grindstone, work like a horse (or dog), concern (oneself) with something, set (one's hand) to something, come into relation with, make application to
Related Words: set about, take on, undertake, drudge, grind, toil, appeal, petition, beg, beseech, entreat, implore, supplicate, importune, press, urge

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English Thesaurus: use, make use of something, employ, utilize, exploit, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ap‧ply S1 W1 /əˈplaɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle applied, present participle applying, third person singular applies)
[Word Family: noun: applicant, application; adjective: applicable, applied; verb: apply]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Old French; Origin: aplier, from Latin applicare, from ad- 'to' + plicare 'to fold']

1. REQUEST [intransitive] to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as a job, a place at a university, or permission to do something
apply for
She applied for a job with the local newspaper.
We need to apply for planning permission to build a garage.
apply to
I applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them.

2. AFFECT [intransitive, transitive not in progressive] to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situation
apply to
Do the same rules apply to part-time workers?
The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.

3. USE [transitive] to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or process
apply something to something
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.

4. apply yourself to work hard at something, especially with a lot of attention for a long time:
Stephen would do well if only he applied himself.
apply yourself to
Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.

5. MAKE SOMETHING WORK [transitive] to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something:
apply the brakes

6. SPREAD PAINT/LIQUID ETC [transitive] to put or spread something such as paint, liquid, or medicine onto a surface:
Apply the cream evenly over the skin.
apply make-up/lipstick etc

7. apply force/pressure to push on something

8. USE A WORD [transitive] to use a particular word or name to describe something or someone:
The term ‘mat’ can be applied to any small rug.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

apply
verb
I. be relevant
ADV. equally These principles apply equally in all cases.
PREP. to These restrictions do not apply to us.
PHRASES the same applies British companies are subject to international laws and the same applies to companies in Europe.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

apply
II. put/spread on a surface
ADV. directly | evenly | freely | sparingly Apply the insecticide sparingly.
PREP. over Apply the glue evenly over both surfaces.
to Never apply the cleaning liquid directly to the surface.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

apply
verb
1.
BAD: I've applied a one-year course in computer studies.
GOOD: I've applied for a one-year course in computer studies.
BAD: I don't have enough experience to apply to the job.
GOOD: I don't have enough experience to apply for the job.

Usage Note:
apply (to an organization) for a job, course, scholarship, etc.: 'She has applied for the post of Senior Lecturer.'

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2.
BAD: The new tax law applies only on people with large incomes.
GOOD: The new tax law applies only to people with large incomes.

Usage Note:
apply to sb/sth (= be aimed at): 'The club's rules and regulations apply to all members.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

use:
Do you mind if I use your phone?
They rebuilt the church using local stone.
We use a range of different methods.
make use of something to use something that is available to you:
Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.
She made full use of her contacts within the organization.
employ formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something:
The surgeons employed a new technique.
They employed every means at their disposal (=every available method).
utilize formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose:
The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.
a better way of utilizing the space
exploit to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent:
The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.
apply to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation:
New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.
I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.
draw on something to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past:
He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.
Journalists draw on information from many different sources.
resort to something to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something:
Extremists on both sides resort to violence.
We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.
exercise formal to use your rights, authority, influence etc:
Only 40% of the poulation exercised their right to vote.
Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto.
wield /wiːld/ formal to use great power or influence:
The central banks wield enormous power.
widespread/extensive use (=when something is used in many places or situations, or among many people)
The widespread use of computers changed business completely.
efficient use
Doing the work in stages makes the most efficient use of resources.
effective use
We need to consider whether there could be a more effective use of our time.
heavy/frequent use (=when something is used a lot)
The heavy use of pesticides in the area led to severe health problems.
regular use
These drugs are not recommended for regular use.
greater use
We want to encourage employees to make greater use of the sports facilities.
land use
Our department is responsible for establishing the guidelines for land use in the county.
drug/alcohol use
Drug use among teenage boys is on the increase.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲