American English
/əˈpʰlaɪ/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
to officially ask for something, especially a job, place on a course, visa, or loan
Practice out loudto officially ask for something, especially a job, place on a course, visa, or loan
I applied for a job at the hospital.
She applied online for a student visa.
Use apply for + the thing you want. Use apply to + the person or organization that receives the request.
apply for a job · apply for a visa · apply for a loan · apply online
apply for + a job/visa/loan
apply to + a company/organization + for + a job/visa
to put something on a surface or part of the body, or to use force there
Apply the cream to your hands.
The nurse applied pressure to the wound.
apply cream · apply makeup · apply paint · apply pressure
apply + something + to + a surface/body part
to use an idea, rule, method, or skill in a particular situation
We applied the same method to the new problem.
She can apply her math skills to real-life tasks.
apply a rule · apply knowledge · apply a method · apply a principle
apply + a rule/method/skill + to + a problem/situation
apply what you know to + a real situation
to concern a person or situation; to be relevant to them
This rule applies to all employees.
The discount does not apply to sale items.
the law applies to everyone · rules apply equally · apply in this case
something applies to + a person/group/thing
something does not apply to + a person/group/thing
to officially ask to be considered for a job
I applied for a job at the hospital.
to be relevant to a person or situation
This rule applies to all employees.
to work with full attention and effort
She applied herself to her studies.
The spelling changes: applies and applied, but applying. The y changes to i before -es and -ed; before -ing, keep y.