applying

6 definitions • 17 examples

present participle of

to request something, usually officially, especially in writing or by sending in a form:

apply for We've applied for a grant to get funding for the project.

apply to Please apply in writing to the address below.

By the time I saw the job advertised it was already too late to apply.

I've applied for a new job with the local newspaper.

[ + to infinitive ] Mandy applied to join the police.

(especially of rules or laws) to have a connection or be important:

apply to That part of the form is for UK citizens - it doesn't apply to you.

Those were old regulations - they don't apply any more.

to make use of something or use it for a practical purpose:

He wants a job in which he can apply his foreign languages.

The court heard how the driver had failed to apply his brakes in time.

If you apply pressure to a cut it's meant to stop the bleeding.

to spread or rub a substance such as cream or paint on a surface:

Apply the cream liberally to exposed areas every three hours and after swimming.

The paint should be applied thinly and evenly.

If you apply yourself to something, you work hard at it, directing your abilities and efforts in a determined way so that you succeed:

You can solve any problem if you apply yourself.

If I had applied myself, I think I could have passed those exams.

If your players aren't applying themselves, you're never going to win anything.

People assumed he was simply not applying himself to his studies.

I'm sure the business will thrive if we apply ourselves and work together.