To request something, usually officially, especially in writing or by sending in a form: Learn more. Use the free application for federal student aid (fafsa ®) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school. Apply means to put on a surface, like to apply makeup to your face before work.

Understanding the Context

Apply also means to ask in a formal way. Long before you applied the makeup, you had to apply for the job. Choose your starting term carefully when you create your application. Competitive health science programs are only open for fall 2026.

Key Insights

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact … The meaning of apply is to put to use especially for some practical purpose. How to use apply in a sentence. Apply to any suny college or university through one easy form. Submit your documents once, and they will be transmitted to as many suny campuses as you designate.