B2 noun Neutral

application

/ˌæplɪˈkeɪʃn/

A formal request for something such as a job, a place at a college, or permission to do something. It also refers to the practical use or relevance of a theory or discovery, or a computer program designed for a specific task.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to download a new application for editing photos on my phone.

I need to get a new software program for my mobile device to modify pictures.

2

Please submit your completed application to the admissions office by the deadline.

Hand in your finished request form to the school office before the final date.

3

I'm still filling out that job application; it's so long!

I am currently working on the paperwork to apply for that position.

Word Family

Noun
application
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
applicant
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'applying' glue: you are putting something (your name or a theory) onto something else (a job list or a problem).

Quick Quiz

The HR manager asked me to sign the ____ form before the interview.

Correct!

The correct answer is: application

Examples

1

I need to download a new application for editing photos on my phone.

everyday

I need to get a new software program for my mobile device to modify pictures.

2

Please submit your completed application to the admissions office by the deadline.

formal

Hand in your finished request form to the school office before the final date.

3

I'm still filling out that job application; it's so long!

informal

I am currently working on the paperwork to apply for that position.

4

The study demonstrates the practical application of these mathematical theories in engineering.

academic

The research shows how these math ideas are used in real-world building and design.

5

The HR department is currently reviewing your application for the senior manager role.

business

The personnel team is looking at your request to be hired for the management position.

Word Family

Noun
application
Verb
apply
Adverb
applicably
Adjective
applicable
Related
applicant

Common Collocations

submit an application to formally hand in a request or form
mobile application a software program designed for a smartphone
practical application the real-world use of an idea or method
grant application a formal request for financial funding
application form a document used to collect information from a candidate

Common Phrases

letter of application

a cover letter sent with a resume

on application

available by asking for it formally

patent application

a request for exclusive rights to an invention

Often Confused With

application vs applicant

An applicant is the person who applies, while the application is the document or process.

application vs appliance

An appliance is a physical machine (like a fridge), whereas an application is software or a request.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'application' when talking about seeking a job or school place, or when discussing how a scientific theory is used in real life. In technology, it is often shortened to 'app'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'I am an application' when they mean 'I am an applicant'. Remember that the -ant suffix refers to a person.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'applying' glue: you are putting something (your name or a theory) onto something else (a job list or a problem).

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'applicatio', which means 'a joining' or 'attaching' to something.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun when referring to forms or software (an application, two applications). Uncountable noun when referring to the use of effort or a theory. Often followed by the preposition 'for' (application for a job).
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern tech culture, 'app' is the standard term, while 'application' sounds more formal or technical.

Quick Quiz

The HR manager asked me to sign the ____ form before the interview.

Correct!

The correct answer is: application

Related Words

contraposable

C1

To subject a logical proposition to contraposition, which involves negating both the subject and the predicate and reversing their order. This operation is used in formal logic to derive a statement that is logically equivalent to the original conditional statement.

inplictude

C1

The quality or state of being implicit rather than expressly stated. It refers to the presence of underlying meanings, suggestions, or unspoken assumptions within a communication or situation.

intravincive

C1

Describing the internal forces, bonds, or links within a structure or group that promote cohesion and stability. It refers to the quality of being self-binding or inwardly connected, often preventing a system from breaking apart.

disturbward

C1

Describing a direction, tendency, or progression toward a state of disturbance, agitation, or disorder. It characterizes something that is increasingly becoming unsettled or disruptive rather than maintaining stability.

abdocion

C1

Describing a movement, force, or logical process that leads away from a central axis or established standard. It is primarily used in specialized technical contexts to describe muscles pulling a limb away from the body or ideas that diverge from a main thesis.

postturbism

C1

Relating to the state of calm or the specific social and psychological atmosphere that follows a period of intense upheaval or turbulence. It describes the condition of recovering order while still being shaped by the lingering effects of the preceding chaos.

undercidcide

C1

Refers to a state where a decision or ruling has been formulated at a subordinate or preliminary level but remains subject to higher-level review or finalization. It characterizes a provisional stage in legal or administrative processes where a result is pending official confirmation.

commedicy

C1

Describing something that possesses the structural or thematic essence of a traditional comedy, often characterized by a lighthearted tone and a resolution of conflict. It is used primarily in literary or theatrical analysis to denote the inherent 'spirit' of a humorous work.

foresedty

C1

To preemptively arrange, settle, or establish a situation in order to prevent future complications. It involves taking decisive action based on a prediction to ensure a stable and resolved state before a specific event occurs.

macrophotoity

C1

To capture or document subjects at extreme magnification, typically using specialized photographic equipment to reveal details invisible to the naked eye. This verb describes the action of producing high-resolution, close-up imagery for scientific, forensic, or artistic purposes.

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