# apply

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈplaɪ/ · frequency rank #1,624

## Definitions
1. To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
2. To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
3. To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.
4. To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.
5. To work diligently and attentively.
6. To address oneself; to refer.
7. To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" or "at" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
8. To pertain or be relevant.
9. To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
10. To visit.

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd
Proto-Italic *ad
Proto-Italic *ad-
Latin ad-
Proto-Indo-European *pel-
Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ-der.
Latin plicō
Latin applicō
Old French applierbor.
Middle English aplien
English apply
From Middle English aplien, applien, from Old French applier, (French appliquer), from Latin applicō (“join, fix, or attach to”); from ad + plicō (“fold, twist together”). See applicant, ply.

## Easily confused with
- **appt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apply-vs-appt)
- **aptly** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apply-vs-aptly)
- **App** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/app-vs-apply)
- **APL** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apl-vs-apply)
- **ally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ally-vs-apply)
- **ably** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ably-vs-apply)
- **apple** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apple-vs-apply)
- **ample** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ample-vs-apply)
- **amply** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/amply-vs-apply)
- **apples** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/apples-vs-apply)
- **Appleby** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/appleby-vs-apply)

## Common misspellings (6)
`aplpy`, `aply`, `applly`, `applyy`, `appyl`, `paply`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/apply