apply

apply

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /əˈplaɪ/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")

• pply - /ˈplaɪ/ (as in "ply" or "sky" with 'p', primary stress)

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Word Form Variations

Apply" primarily functions as a verb.

• Verb:

• Base form: apply

• Third person singular present: applies

• Present participle: applying

• Past tense: applied

• Past participle: applied

• Related forms (but not direct variations of "apply" itself):

• Noun: application, applicant, appliance

• Adjective: applicable, applied

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Verb

1. To put into use or practice; to make use of for a particular purpose or in a particular case.

• Example: "You must apply the rules fairly."

• Synonyms: use, utilize, employ, implement, execute, put into practice

• Antonyms: disregard, neglect, ignore, withhold

2. To make a formal request or appeal for something, such as a job, admission, or a grant.

• Example: "She decided to apply for the new position."

• Synonyms: request, ask, petition, seek, bid, try for

• Antonyms: withdraw, retract, decline, refuse

3. To spread or put (a substance) on a surface.

• Example: "Apply sunscreen generously before going outside."

• Synonyms: put on, spread, lay on, rub in, put down

• Antonyms: remove, wipe off, take off, strip

4. To be relevant or appropriate to (a particular situation or person).

• Example: "That rule doesn't apply to this situation."

• Synonyms: pertain, relate, concern, be relevant, fit

• Antonyms: be irrelevant, be inapplicable, not pertain

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "Never apply to anyone else for that which you can obtain yourself." (Latin proverb, often attributed to Roman philosophers like Seneca or Cicero)

• Newspapers:

• "Students are encouraged to apply for federal financial aid as early as possible to maximize their eligibility." (The New York Times)

• Online Publications:

• "Before using any new skincare product, it's essential to apply a small amount to a patch of skin to check for allergic reactions." (WebMD)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "The protagonist must apply all his knowledge of ancient languages to decipher the cryptic scroll." (Narrator in a video game trailer)

• "You need to apply more pressure with your brush if you want a bolder stroke here." (Art instructor on a YouTube tutorial)

• "This new tax doesn't apply to small businesses, only to large corporations." (Dialogue in a political drama TV series, House of Cards, televised 2013-2018)

• General Public Discourse:

• "Does this coupon apply to online orders?"

• "You should apply for that job; you're perfectly qualified."

• "Don't forget to apply sunscreen before you go outside."

• "We need to apply these lessons to future projects."

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10 Quotes Using Apply

1. "Never apply to anyone else for that which you can obtain yourself." (Latin proverb, often attributed to Seneca or Cicero)

2. "Apply yourself wholly to the Word; apply the Word wholly to yourself." (Johann Arndt, German theologian)

3. "It is very important that you apply this one rule: don't fool yourself." (Richard Feynman, paraphrased from his Caltech lecture series, 1974)

4. "You must apply yourself, or you will not succeed." (Common motivational saying)

5. "This rule does not apply to every situation." (Common conversational phrase or legal disclaimer)

6. "Justice must apply equally to all." (A fundamental principle of legal systems, widely stated)

7. "The principles of science apply everywhere in the universe." (Common assertion in scientific discourse)

8. "To truly learn, one must apply the knowledge." (A common educational maxim)

9. "Apply yourself, then trust the process." (A widely used motivational phrase)

10. "The law does not apply to kings." (Historical or political observation, often cited in discussions of power)

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Etymology

The word "apply" is about putting something into use or making a request. Its history traces back to a Latin word about attaching or joining.

It comes from the Latin verb "applicare," which meant "to join to," "to attach," "to bring into contact with," or "to direct towards." This Latin verb is formed from two parts:

• "ad-": a Latin prefix meaning "to" or "at."

• "plicare": a Latin verb meaning "to fold" or "to bend."

So, "applicare" literally meant "to fold to" or "to attach to," conveying the idea of bringing something into close contact or directing it to a purpose.

The word "apply" entered the English language from Old French ("aplier") in the late 14th century (around the 1300s).

The first known use and meaning of "apply" in English was very much in line with its Latin and French origins: to put or spread something onto a surface (like applying a plaster), or to bring into contact. Soon after, it developed the meaning of to put to practical use or to dedicate oneself to a task (like applying oneself to study). The sense of making a formal request (like applying for a job) emerged later, around the 16th century, likely from the idea of "directing" a request.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Apply

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "apply":

• Apply oneself (to work diligently and with dedication)

• Apply for (to make a formal request for something, like a job or loan)

• Apply to (to be relevant or pertain to; to make a formal request to an institution)

• Apply pressure (to exert force, physically or figuratively, to influence)

• Apply the brakes (to slow down or stop, literally or figuratively)

• Apply logic (to use reasoning in a situation)

• Apply a coat of paint (to spread a layer of paint)

• Apply a dressing (to place a bandage or medical treatment on a wound)

• Put into practice (using a synonym for similar effect)

• Bring to bear (using a synonym, meaning to exert influence or power)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of apply from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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