adj
Meaning 1
Alternative spelling of appley.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: alt-of, alternative
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
apply
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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/ˈæp(ə)li/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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/əˈplaɪ/
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Received-Pronunciation, US: [əˈplaɪ]
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British, Southern, Standard: [əˈplɑj]
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Canada: [əˈplaɪ]
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dialectal: [əˈpləj]
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Australian: [əˈplɑɪ]
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US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -aɪ
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CMU ARPABET: AH0 P L AY1 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
verb
Meaning 2
To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- to apply cream to a rash
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- to apply funds to the repayment of a debt
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: appropriate, devote, use
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Examples
- We need to apply the skills we’ve learned to solve this problem.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 5
To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently or with attention.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: attach, incline
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 6
To work diligently and attentively.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: reflexive
Examples
- My parents say I could do well in school if I would apply myself.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 7
To address oneself; to refer.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: reflexive, transitive, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 8
To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" or "at" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.
- Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.
- Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 9
To pertain or be relevant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Examples
- That rule only applies to foreigners.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: extend
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 10
To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 11
To visit.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 12
ask (for something)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- He applied for a leave of absence
- She applied for college
- apply for a job
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: request, bespeak, call for, quest
Narrower terms: put in, submit
verb
Meaning 13
refer (a word or name) to a person or thing
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- He applied this racial slur to me!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: denote, refer
verb
Meaning 14
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- use your head!
- we only use Spanish at home
- I can't use this tool
- Apply a magnetic field here
- This thinking was applied to many projects
- How do you utilize this tool?
- I apply this rule to get good results
- use the plastic bags to store the food
- He doesn't know how to use a computer
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: use, utilize, utilise, employ
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: give, dedicate, consecrate, commit, devote, play, pull out all the stops, put, assign, ply, address, waste, misapply, misuse, avail, overuse, overdrive, cannibalize, cannibalise, recycle, reprocess, reuse, exploit, work, tap, strain, extend, exert, exercise, enjoy, take, share, put to work, implement, fall back, resort, recur
verb
Meaning 15
apply to a surface
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- She applied paint to the back of the house
- Put on make-up!
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: put on
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: cover
Narrower terms: dab, swab, swob, daub, gum, dress, cream, cold-cream, putty, sponge on, slap on, clap on, slam on
verb
Meaning 16
give or convey physically
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- She gave him First Aid
- I gave him a punch in the nose
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: give
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: distribute, administer, mete out, deal, parcel out, lot, dispense, shell out, deal out, dish out, allot, dole out
Narrower terms: tread, administer
verb
Meaning 17
ensure observance of laws and rules;
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Apply the rules to everyone
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: enforce, implement
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: compel, oblige, obligate
Narrower terms: run, execute
verb
Meaning 18
avail oneself to
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- apply a principle
- practice a religion
- use care when going down the stairs
- use your common sense
- practice non-violent resistance
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: practice, use
Antonyms: none provided
Narrower terms: follow
verb
Meaning 19
apply oneself to
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- Please apply yourself to your homework
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: give, dedicate, consecrate, commit, devote
verb
Meaning 20
be pertinent or relevant or applicable
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The same laws apply to you!
- This theory holds for all irrational numbers
- The same rules go for everyone
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: hold, go for
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: refer, pertain, relate, concern, come to, bear on, touch, touch on, have-to doe with
verb
Meaning 21
be applicable to; as to an analysis
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- This theory lends itself well to our new data
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: lend oneself
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2ébōl Proto-Germanic *aplaz Proto-West Germanic *applu Old English æppel Middle English appel English apple English -y English apply From apple + -y.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Proto-Indo-European *pel- Proto-Indo-European *pleḱ-der. Latin plicō Latin applicō Old French applierbor. Middle English aplien English apply Inherited from Middle English aplien, borrowed from Old French applier, from Latin applicō, from ad- + plicō (“fold; arrive”). See applicant, ply.
Across languages
Translations
186 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- Arabic: وَضَعَ (wadʕaʕa) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Cherokee: ᎢᎬᎾᏙᏗ (igvnadodi) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Dutch: aanbrengen — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Dutch: aanleggen — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Esperanto: apliki — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Esperanto: alfiksi — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Finnish: levittää — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Finnish: panna — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Finnish: asettaa — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Finnish: laittaa — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- French: appliquer — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- German: auftragen — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- German: auflegen — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Hungarian: felken — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Hungarian: felhord — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Ido: aplikar — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Irish: cuir suas — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Korean: 대다 (daeda) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Latin: applicō — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Māori: pani — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Portuguese: aplicar — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Russian: прилага́ть (prilagátʹ) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Russian: прикла́дывать (prikládyvatʹ) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Russian: приложи́ть (priložítʹ) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Spanish: aplicar — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Swedish: applicera — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Swedish: anbringa — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Tamil: இடு (iṭu) — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Venetan: métar — to lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
- Arabic: طَبَّقَ (ṭabbaqa) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Armenian: կիրառել (kiraṙel) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Bulgarian: употребявам (upotrebjavam) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Bulgarian: прилагам (prilagam) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Chinese Mandarin: 應用 /应用 (yìngyòng) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Chinese Mandarin: 用 (yòng) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Maore Comorian: utria ndziani — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ngazidja Comorian: utria ndziani — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Danish: anvende — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Danish: benytte — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Danish: bruge — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Dutch: toepassen — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Esperanto: apliki — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Finnish: käyttää — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Finnish: soveltaa — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- French: appliquer — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- German: anwenden — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- German: verwenden — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- German: benutzen — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Hungarian: alkalmaz — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Hungarian: felhasznál — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Hungarian: használ — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Hungarian: hasznosít — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ido: aplikar — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Irish: cuir i bhfeidhm — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Italian: applicare — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Japanese: 用いる (mochiiru) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Korean: 쓰다 (sseuda) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ladin: aplicher — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Latin: applico — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Macedonian: иско́ристи (iskóristi) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Macedonian: при́мени (prímeni) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Macedonian: спро́веде (spróvede) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Macedonian: упо́треби (upótrebi) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Norwegian Bokmål: anvende — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Persian: بکار بردن (be kaar bordan) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Persian: درخواست دادن (darxâst dâdan) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Polish: zastosowywać — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Polish: zastosować — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Portuguese: aplicar — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Russian: испо́льзовать (ispólʹzovatʹ) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Russian: применя́ть (primenjátʹ) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Russian: примени́ть (primenítʹ) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Russian: употребля́ть (upotrebljátʹ) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Russian: употреби́ть (upotrebítʹ) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Spanish: aplicar — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Swedish: tillämpa — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: застосо́вувати (zastosóvuvaty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: застосува́ти (zastosuváty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: використо́вувати (vykorystóvuvaty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: ви́користати (výkorystaty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: вжива́ти (vžyváty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: вжи́ти (vžýty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: ужива́ти (užyváty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Ukrainian: ужи́ти (užýty) — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Vietnamese: áp dụng — to put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case — see also use, employ, utilize
- Esperanto: apliki — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Finnish: soveltaa — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Finnish: käyttää — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- German: anwenden — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Hungarian: alkalmaz — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Hungarian: hasznosít — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Korean: 적용하다 (jeogyonghada) — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Macedonian: при́мени (prímeni) — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Māori: whakamahi — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Māori: whakahāngai — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Portuguese: aplicar — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Russian: применя́ться (primenjátʹsja) — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Swedish: tillämpa — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Vietnamese: áp dụng — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Vietnamese: ứng dụng — to make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relevant
- Dutch: zich toeleggen op — to work diligently and attentively
- Esperanto: diligenti — to work diligently and attentively
- Finnish: herkistää — to work diligently and attentively
- Finnish: altistaa — to work diligently and attentively
- Finnish: käyttää — to work diligently and attentively
- German: sich anstrengen — to work diligently and attentively
- Hungarian: igyekszik — to work diligently and attentively
- Korean: 쏟다 (ssotda) — to work diligently and attentively
- Korean: 기울이다 (giurida) — to work diligently and attentively
- Māori: ngaki — to work diligently and attentively
- Portuguese: aplicar-se — to work diligently and attentively
- Russian: стара́ться (starátʹsja) — to work diligently and attentively
- Spanish: aplicarse — to work diligently and attentively
- Finnish: uskoutua — to address oneself, refer
- Finnish: kääntyä jonkun puoleen — to address oneself, refer
- Hungarian: fordul — to address oneself, refer
- Korean: 적용하다 (jeogyonghada) — to address oneself, refer
- Spanish: dirigirse — to address oneself, refer
- Bulgarian: кандидатствам (kandidatstvam) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Cebuano: aplay — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Chinese Cantonese: 申請 /申请 (san1 cing2) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Chinese Mandarin: 申請 /申请 (shēnqǐng) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Czech: přihlásit — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Dutch: solliciteren — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Dutch: aanvragen — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Esperanto: kandidatigi — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Esperanto: peti — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Esperanto: sin proponi por — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Finnish: hakea — to submit oneself as a candidate
- French: s'inscrire — to submit oneself as a candidate
- French: postuler — to submit oneself as a candidate
- German: sich bewerben (um etwas) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Hungarian: jelentkezik — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Hungarian: pályázik — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Italian: candidarsi — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Italian: fare domanda — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Japanese: 申し込む (mōshikomu) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Korean: 신청하다 (sincheonghada) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Korean: 지원하다 (jiwonhada) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Māori: tono — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Norwegian: søke — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Polish: zgłosić się — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Portuguese: candidatar-se — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Russian: обраща́ться (obraščátʹsja) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Russian: заявля́ть (zajavljátʹ) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Russian: подава́ть зая́вку (podavátʹ zajávku) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Russian: подава́ть заявле́ние (podavátʹ zajavlénije) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Spanish: presentarse para — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Spanish: optar a — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Spanish: postularse para — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Spanish: solicitar — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Spanish: aplicar a — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Swedish: söka — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Swedish: ansöka — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Turkish: başvurmak — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Ukrainian: звертатись (zvertatysʹ) — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Vietnamese: ứng cử — to submit oneself as a candidate
- Czech: platit — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Danish: gælde — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Dutch: gelden — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Esperanto: rilati — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Finnish: koskea — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Finnish: soveltua — to be relevant to a specified individual
- French: appliquer — to be relevant to a specified individual
- French: valoir — to be relevant to a specified individual
- German: gelten — to be relevant to a specified individual
- German: zutreffen — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Hungarian: vonatkozik — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Hungarian: érvényes — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Korean: 적용되다 (jeogyongdoeda) — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Norwegian Bokmål: gjelde — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Norwegian Nynorsk: gjelde — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Polish: dotyczyć — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Portuguese: aplicar-se — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Russian: применя́ться (primenjátʹsja) — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Russian: быть примени́мым (bytʹ primenímym) — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Russian: подходи́ть (podxodítʹ) — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Spanish: aplicarse — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Spanish: valer — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Spanish: convenir — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Spanish: cuadrar — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Spanish: aplicar a — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Swedish: gälla — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Tamil: பொருந்து (poruntu) — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Turkish: geçerli olmak — to be relevant to a specified individual
- Ukrainian: стосува́тися (stosuvátysja) — to be relevant to a specified individual
Real reading context