WordWeb Online

1. Put into service; make work for a particular purpose or use as designed
   "Apply a magnetic field here"; "This thinking was applied to many projects"; "I apply this rule to get good results";
   - use, utilize, utilise [Brit], employ
    
2. Be pertinent, relevant or applicable
   "The same laws apply to you!";
   - hold, go for
    
3. Ask (for something)
   "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
    
4. Coat, cover or smear a surface with
   "She applied paint to the back of the house";
   - put on
    
5. Be applicable to; as to an analysis
   - lend oneself
    
6. Give or convey physically
   "She applied him First Aid";
   - give
    
7. Make use of; obey or follow
   "apply a principle";
   - practice [N. Amer], use, practise [Brit, Cdn]
    
8. Ensure observance of laws and rules
   "Apply the rules to everyone";
   - enforce, implement
    
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"

Derived forms: applying, applied, applies

See also: lay

Type of: administer, allot, ask for, bear on, bespeak, call for, come to, commit, compel, concern, consecrate, cover, deal, deal out, dedicate, denote, devote, dish out, dispense, distribute, dole, dole out, give, have to do with, lot, mete, mete out, obligate, oblige, parcel out, pertain, quest, refer, relate, request, touch, touch on

Antonym: free, resist

Encyclopedia: Apply