A1 noun Neutral #1,502 most common

app

/æp/

An app, short for application, is a specialized computer program designed for a specific task. It is most commonly used on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets to help users perform activities such as gaming, banking, or social networking.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I use a weather app to see if it will rain today.

I use a weather program to check the daily forecast.

2

The corporation has released a formal app for employee benefits.

The company launched an official software for worker services.

3

Check out this awesome new photo app I got!

Look at this great new picture tool I downloaded!

Word Family

Noun
application
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
applet
💡

Memory Tip

Think of an APple phone; you use APps on it.

Quick Quiz

I want to ___ a new game app on my phone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: download

Examples

1

I use a weather app to see if it will rain today.

everyday

I use a weather program to check the daily forecast.

2

The corporation has released a formal app for employee benefits.

formal

The company launched an official software for worker services.

3

Check out this awesome new photo app I got!

informal

Look at this great new picture tool I downloaded!

4

The research paper discusses the effectiveness of this educational app.

academic

The study analyzes how well this learning software works.

5

Our sales team requires a mobile app to track client meetings.

business

Our business staff needs a phone program to log appointments.

Word Family

Noun
application
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
applet

Common Collocations

download an app to get a new app from the internet
install an app to set up an app on your device
mobile app a program specifically for smartphones
free app an app that costs no money
update an app to get the newest version of the app

Common Phrases

in-app purchase

buying something inside a program

killer app

a very popular and essential program

web app

a program that runs in a browser

Often Confused With

app vs API

An app is the user-facing program, while an API is a technical connection between programs.

app vs Software

Software is a general term for all programs; app usually refers to specific, smaller mobile programs.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'app' for mobile devices and tablets. For desktop computers, 'application' or 'program' is also common but 'app' is becoming more acceptable.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'application' in very casual texting where 'app' is the natural choice. Remember that the plural is simply 'apps'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an APple phone; you use APps on it.

📖

Word Origin

A 20th-century shortening of the word 'application', which comes from the Latin 'applicare', meaning to join or attach.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun (one app, two apps) Used with 'the' or 'an' Often used as a modifier: app store, app developer
🌍

Cultural Context

The rise of the 'App Store' in 2008 changed global culture by making software accessible to everyone instantly.

Quick Quiz

I want to ___ a new game app on my phone.

Correct!

The correct answer is: download

More Technology words

laptop

A1

A laptop is a portable personal computer that is small and light enough to be used on a person's lap. It combines a screen, keyboard, and processor into one battery-powered unit that you can carry easily.

screen

A1

A screen is the flat surface on an electronic device, such as a television, computer, or smartphone, where images and information are displayed. It is the part of the hardware that the user looks at to interact with the device.

keyboard

A1

A keyboard is an input device consisting of a set of keys that you press to type letters, numbers, and symbols into a computer. It is also a musical instrument that looks like a piano and produces electronic sounds.

mouse

A1

A small device that you move with your hand to control the cursor on a computer screen. It allows users to select, click, and drag items by pressing buttons on its surface.

headphones

A1

Headphones are a pair of small speakers that you wear over or inside your ears to listen to music or sound without other people hearing it. They are commonly used with phones, computers, and music players.

speaker

A1

A speaker is an electronic device that converts electrical signals into audible sound. It is used to listen to music, voices, or other sounds from computers, phones, or home entertainment systems.

website

A1

A website is a collection of connected pages on the internet that contains information about a person, company, or subject. You use a web browser like Chrome or Safari to visit a website and read its content.

search

A1

A search is the act of looking for something or someone carefully. In technology, it refers to using a computer program or website to find specific information or files.

download

A1

A computer file that has been moved from the internet or a larger system to a smaller device like a computer or phone. It can also refer to the process of transferring this data from one place to another.

click

A1

A click is the short, sharp sound made when a computer mouse button is pressed. It also refers to the physical action of pressing a button on a digital device to select or activate something on a screen.

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