ap‧ply S1 W1 / əplaɪ / 动词 ( past tense and past participle applied , present participle applying , third person singular applies )

1 request [不及物动词] to make a formal request, usually written, for something such as a job, a place at a university, or permission to do something

apply for

She applied for a job with the local newspaper.

We need to apply for planning permission to build a garage.

apply to

I applied to four universities and was accepted by all of them.

2 affect [不及物，及物动词不用于进行时] to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situation

apply to

Do the same rules apply to part-time workers?

The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester.

3 use [及物动词] to use something such as a method, idea, or law in a particular situation, activity, or process

apply something to something

New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.

These ideas are often difficult to apply in practice.

4 apply yourself to work hard at something, especially with a lot of attention for a long time :

Stephen would do well if only he applied himself.

apply yourself to

Over the next months, he applied himself to improving the technique.

5 make something work [及物动词] to make something such as a piece of equipment operate, usually by pushing or pressing something :

apply the brakes

6 spread paint/liquid etc [及物动词] to put or spread something such as paint, liquid, or medicine onto a surface :

Apply the cream evenly over the skin.

apply make-up/lipstick etc

7 apply force/pressure to push on something

8 use a word [及物动词] to use a particular word or name to describe something or someone :

The term ‘mat’ can be applied to any small rug.

THESAURUS

use : Do you mind if I use your phone? | They rebuilt the church using local stone. | We use a range of different methods.

make use of something to use something that is available to you : Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities. | She made full use of her contacts within the organization.

employ formal to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something : The surgeons employed a new technique. | They employed every means at their disposal (= every available method ) .

utilize formal to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose : The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy. | a better way of utilizing the space

exploit to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent : The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited. | He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.

apply to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation : New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process. | I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.

draw on something to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past : He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book. | Journalists draw on information from many different sources.

resort to something to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something : Extremists on both sides resort to violence. | We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.