From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishapplyap‧ply /əˈplaɪ/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (applied, applying, applies) 1 request [intransitive]ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as a job, a place at a university, or permission to do somethingapply 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]EFFECT/INFLUENCE to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situationapply to Do the same rules apply to part-time workers? The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.3 use [transitive]USE something to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or processapply something to something New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.► see thesaurus at use4 → apply yourself5 make something work [transitive]USE something to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something apply the brakes6 spread paint/liquid etc [transitive]PUT 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/pressure8 use a word [transitive]USE something to use a particular word or name to describe something or someone The term ‘mat’ can be applied to any small rug.→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
apply• "I still haven't received my passport" "When did you apply?"• Many of the restrictions no longer apply.• Aisha applied and was told that the dass was already full.• It is noteworthy that more than half did equivalent or higher level courses than those they applied for at the institutions we covered.• How many jobs had you applied for before you were offered this one?• Use the brush to soften the outline, then pencil over lips before applying lipstick.• You can't apply policies designed for a big country like the United States to a small country like Cuba.• They try to apply pressure on both the masons and the material suppliers.• On wet or icy roads, apply the brakes gently.• Apply the cream in the morning and the evening.• Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.• Apply the lotion evenly over the skin.• I alternate the direction of these strokes, imitating the direction I use to apply the pastel in the first place.• However this is beginning to apply to classroom video materials too as more and more people today have video machines at home.• There are several tests you can apply to find out how old a tree is.• The crystal vibrates when a small electric current is applied to it.• Finland did not apply to join the EC until 1992.• The same applies to the male.• Some of the children seem unable to apply what they have learned.apply to• The 20% discount only applies to club members.• I applied to four colleges and was accepted by all of them.apply something to something• New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.• The term "mat" can be applied to any small rug.apply make-up/lipstick etc• Apply a lip moisturiser or lip balm about 20 minutes before you want to apply lipstick.• Use the brush to soften the outline, then pencil over lips before applying lipstick.From Longman Business Dictionaryapplyap‧ply /əˈplaɪ/ verb (past tense and past participle applied)1[intransitive] to make a formal, usually written, request for something, especially a job, a place at university, or permission to do somethingapply forShe had applied for a full-time job as an English teacher.I recently applied for a home-improvement loan from my bank.apply toI applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them.Mr Walton applied to Darlington Council for permission to change agricultural buildings into dwellings.apply to do somethingHe applied to become a member of the association.2[transitive] to use something such as a law or an idea in a particular situationWhen there are disputes about expert determination, the courts apply the law of contract.apply something to somethingNew technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.3[intransitive] to have an effect on someone or something, or to concern a person, group, or situationThe restrictions on goods coming into Britain do not apply in this case.apply to somebody/somethingQuestions 3 and 4 only apply to married men.→ See Verb tableOrigin apply (1300-1400) Old French aplier, from Latin applicare, from ad- “to” + plicare “to fold” 