C2 adverb Formal

applicability

/əˌplɪkəˈbɪləti/

The quality of being relevant or appropriate to a particular situation or purpose. It describes the extent to which a concept, rule, or method can be effectively implemented or used in a specific context.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I'm not sure about the applicability of that advice to my life right now.

I am uncertain if that piece of advice is actually relevant to my current personal situation.

2

The court must determine the applicability of the statute to the current case.

The legal body needs to decide whether this specific law is relevant to the case at hand.

3

He's always talking about grand theories, but they have zero applicability to real-world problems.

He discusses complex ideas often, but they cannot be used to solve actual problems we face.

Word Family

Noun
applicability
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
application
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Memory Tip

Think of it as 'Apply-Ability'—the ability of a concept or tool to be applied to a specific problem.

Quick Quiz

The ________ of the new safety regulations to small family-owned farms is currently under review by the department.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

I'm not sure about the applicability of that advice to my life right now.

everyday

I am uncertain if that piece of advice is actually relevant to my current personal situation.

2

The court must determine the applicability of the statute to the current case.

formal

The legal body needs to decide whether this specific law is relevant to the case at hand.

3

He's always talking about grand theories, but they have zero applicability to real-world problems.

informal

He discusses complex ideas often, but they cannot be used to solve actual problems we face.

4

This study explores the applicability of quantum mechanics to biological systems.

academic

The research investigates whether the principles of quantum physics can be used to explain biological processes.

5

We need to assess the applicability of this marketing strategy to the European market.

business

It is necessary to evaluate if this specific marketing plan will work effectively within the European region.

Word Family

Noun
applicability
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
application

Common Collocations

wide applicability The quality of being relevant to a broad range of situations.
practical applicability The quality of being useful in real-world, non-theoretical scenarios.
general applicability The quality of being relevant to most cases or people.
limited applicability The state of only being relevant in a very small number of specific cases.
legal applicability The relevance or validity of a rule within a judicial framework.

Common Phrases

universal applicability

The state of being relevant and useful in every possible situation.

test of applicability

A method or trial used to see if a rule or tool actually works in a specific case.

criteria for applicability

The set of standards used to decide if something is relevant.

Often Confused With

applicability vs application

Application is the actual act of putting something to use, whereas applicability is the abstract quality of being capable of being used.

📝

Usage Notes

Applicability is a formal noun usually followed by the preposition 'to'. It is most commonly used in technical, academic, or legal discussions regarding the scope of rules or theories.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'application' when they mean the quality of being relevant. For example, they might say 'I doubt the application of this law' when they mean 'I doubt the applicability of this law'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of it as 'Apply-Ability'—the ability of a concept or tool to be applied to a specific problem.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'applicare' (to fold or attach to) combined with the suffix '-ability' to denote capability.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun Followed by the preposition 'to' Often modified by adjectives like 'broad', 'limited', or 'universal'

Quick Quiz

The ________ of the new safety regulations to small family-owned farms is currently under review by the department.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Related Words

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C1

Describing a quality of being excessively or intrusively hospitable to the point of making a guest feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. It implies that the host's efforts to be welcoming have crossed a boundary into being burdensome or stifling.

excelership

C1

Describing a state of superior leadership and technical mastery, particularly within a corporate or organizational structure. It characterizes individuals or actions that demonstrate both exceptional performance and the ability to guide others toward high-level goals.

homosophful

C1

Describing a state of possessing shared wisdom or having a mindset that aligns with universal human understanding. It is often used to characterize individuals or groups that exhibit profound, common-sense insight or an intellectual harmony with their community.

abphotoion

C1

To remove or displace an ion from a molecular structure using concentrated light energy or radiation. It is a specialized term used in advanced physics and chemical engineering to describe the precise detachment of particles via photon interaction.

undertrudless

C1

To execute a series of tasks or navigate a complex system with a complete absence of resistance or friction. It implies bypassing the usual 'trudge' or difficulty associated with a process, often in a mechanical or systematic way.

prodentation

C1

Characterized by the forward projection or protrusion of teeth or tooth-like structures. It is a specialized term used primarily in anatomical, biological, or technical descriptions to indicate a feature that juts outward.

regratine

C1

Regratine refers to the historical trade practice of purchasing commodities, particularly food, at a market and reselling them in the same or a nearby market at an inflated price. It was traditionally considered a form of unethical profiteering or price manipulation in medieval and early modern economic systems.

prehabment

C1

The process of engaging in physical conditioning and strengthening exercises prior to a surgical procedure or a period of intense physical exertion. It is used to improve physiological resilience, reduce the risk of injury, and accelerate the subsequent recovery process.

anteregess

C1

A specialized term used primarily in academic and logical testing contexts to describe a preliminary stage of advancement or a forward-moving phase that precedes a primary event. It represents an initial step in a sequence that establishes the necessary conditions for further progress.

inclarive

C1

A noun referring to a rhetorical or logical construct that is intentionally broad yet lacks specific detail, often used to encompass various possibilities without committing to one. It describes a state where inclusion is prioritized over precision, leading to a calculated ambiguity.

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