applicable
Something that is relevant, appropriate, or can be effectively used in a particular situation or for a specific person. It implies that a rule, law, or piece of information has a valid connection to the circumstances at hand.
Examples
3 of 5The store policy regarding returns is applicable to all items except those bought on sale.
The store policy regarding returns is applicable to all items except those bought on sale.
Please fill out all sections of the form and write 'N/A' where the questions are not applicable.
Please fill out all sections of the form and write 'N/A' where the questions are not applicable.
I like your suggestion, but I don't think it's really applicable to what we're doing right now.
I like your suggestion, but I don't think it's really applicable to what we're doing right now.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'APP' on your phone; it is only 'APPLICABLE' if it works on your specific operating system.
Quick Quiz
The new safety regulations are only ______ to construction sites with more than ten workers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: applicable
Examples
The store policy regarding returns is applicable to all items except those bought on sale.
everydayThe store policy regarding returns is applicable to all items except those bought on sale.
Please fill out all sections of the form and write 'N/A' where the questions are not applicable.
formalPlease fill out all sections of the form and write 'N/A' where the questions are not applicable.
I like your suggestion, but I don't think it's really applicable to what we're doing right now.
informalI like your suggestion, but I don't think it's really applicable to what we're doing right now.
This theoretical framework is widely applicable across various branches of social science.
academicThis theoretical framework is widely applicable across various branches of social science.
The terms and conditions listed here are applicable to all contractual agreements signed after January 1st.
businessThe terms and conditions listed here are applicable to all contractual agreements signed after January 1st.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
as applicable
as applicable
where applicable
where applicable
not applicable
not applicable
Often Confused With
Applied describes something put into practical use (e.g., applied physics), while applicable describes whether something can or should be used in a certain context.
While similar, applicable is more often used for rules, laws, or technical criteria, whereas relevant is a broader term for any logical connection.
Usage Notes
The word is almost always followed by the preposition 'to' when indicating the object it concerns. In legal and administrative contexts, it is used to define the scope of authority or rules.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'applicable for' instead of the correct 'applicable to'. They also occasionally use the noun 'application' when the adjective 'applicable' is required.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'APP' on your phone; it is only 'APPLICABLE' if it works on your specific operating system.
Word Origin
From the Late Latin 'applicabilis', from the verb 'applicare', meaning 'to join to' or 'to attach'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The abbreviation 'N/A' (Not Applicable) is a standard part of bureaucratic culture in English-speaking countries, used to avoid leaving blank spaces on forms.
Quick Quiz
The new safety regulations are only ______ to construction sites with more than ten workers.
Correct!
The correct answer is: applicable
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
cause
A1To make something happen, especially something bad or unpleasant. It is used to describe the action that results in a specific effect or situation.
through
A1Used to describe moving from one side of an opening, area, or object to the other side. It can also refer to the period of time from the beginning to the end of an event.
effective
A2Something is effective when it successfully produces the intended or desired result. It describes a person, method, or thing that works well and achieves its goal.
epic
A1A long book, poem, or movie that tells a story about heroes and great events. It usually covers a long period of time and many adventures.
robotics
B2The branch of technology and engineering that deals with the design, construction, operation, and application of robots. It is a multidisciplinary field combining computer science, electronics, and mechanical engineering to create autonomous or semi-autonomous machines.
dean
B2A dean is a high-ranking official at a university or college who oversees a specific department, faculty, or administrative area. They are responsible for academic leadership, managing faculty members, and ensuring the general welfare of students within their division.
decade
B2A period of ten years, typically used to measure time or categorize a specific historical era. It is a common unit of time used to track social, economic, or personal changes over a significant duration.
enable
B2To provide someone with the means, authority, or opportunity to do something. It also means to make a process or a system possible or operational.
mature
B2Describing someone who behaves in a sensible, responsible way like an adult, or something that has reached a state of full development. It is often used to describe people, plants, or economic markets that are no longer growing rapidly but are stable.
scheme
B2A systematic plan or arrangement for attaining a particular object or putting an idea into effect. It can also refer to a secretive or devious plot to achieve a goal, often used to describe government programs or organizational systems.
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