apply meaning and definition

APPLY verb

Definition of apply (verb)

1. put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
   • "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use this tool"; "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "How do you utilize this tool?"; "I apply this rule to get good results"; "use the plastic bags to store the food"; "He doesn't know how to use a computer"
   • synonyms: employ, use, utilise, utilize
2. be pertinent or relevant or applicable
   • "The same laws apply to you!"; "This theory holds for all irrational numbers"; "The same rules go for everyone"
   • synonyms: go for, hold
3. ask (for something)
   • "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
4. apply to a surface
   • "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!"
   • synonyms: put on
5. be applicable to; as to an analysis
   • "This theory lends itself well to our new data"
   • synonyms: lend oneself
   • antonym: defy
6. give or convey physically
   • "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose"
   • synonyms: give
7. avail oneself to
   • "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"
   • synonyms: practice, use
8. ensure observance of laws and rules
   • "Apply the rules to everyone";
   • synonyms: enforce, implement
   • antonym: exempt
9. refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
   • "He applied this racial slur to me!"
10. apply oneself to
    • "Please apply yourself to your homework"