'apply' definitions:

Put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose; "use your head!"; "we only use Spanish at home"; "I can't use 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, apply, 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: apply, 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, apply]

Be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data" [syn: lend oneself, apply] [ant: defy, refuse, resist]

Give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose" [syn: give, apply]

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, apply, use]

Ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone"; [syn: enforce, implement, apply] [ant: exempt, free, relieve]

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"