Definition of apply

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- Apply v
- Put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't make use of 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" [syn: {use}, {utilize}, {utilise}, {employ}]
- 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" [syn: {hold}, {go for}]
- Ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job"
- Apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!" [syn: {put on}]
- Be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data" [syn: {lend oneself}] [ant: {defy}]
- Give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose" [syn: {give}]
- Avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance" [syn: {practice}, {use}]
- Ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone"; [syn: {enforce}, {implement}] [ant: {exempt}]
- Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!"
- Apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework" [also: {applied}]