1. (

• use ,
• utilize ,
• utilise ,
• apply ,
• employ

) 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" ;

2. (

• apply ,
• hold ,
• go_for

) 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" ;

3. (

• apply

) ask (for something); "He applied for a leave of absence"; "She applied for college"; "apply for a job" ;

4. (

• put_on ,
• apply

) apply to a surface; "She applied paint to the back of the house"; "Put on make-up!" ;

5. (

• lend_oneself ,
• apply ,

) be applicable to; as to an analysis; "This theory lends itself well to our new data" ;

6. (

• give ,
• apply

) give or convey physically; "She gave him First Aid"; "I gave him a punch in the nose" ;

7. (

• practice ,
• apply ,
• use ,

) avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance" ;

8. (

• enforce ,
• implement ,
• apply ,

) ensure observance of laws and rules; "Apply the rules to everyone" ;

9. (

• apply ,

) refer (a word or name) to a person or thing; "He applied this racial slur to me!" ;

10. (

• apply ,

) apply oneself to; "Please apply yourself to your homework" ;