application
application — noun
1. a formal letter or form sent to a company, school, or government office in which
a formal letter or form sent to a company, school, or government office in which someone asks to receive a job, a study place, money, or the right to do something specific.
Theo sent an application for the marketing job at three different companies.
application for + [job/role]
The university received over 5,000 applications from students this year.
plural countable use with a number
You must fill in this form to make an application for a new passport.
Yara submitted her application to study medicine just before the deadline.
Her loan application was rejected because she had no steady income.
- request
more general; an application is a specific, formal type of request
- petition
usually signed by many people asking authorities for something
- submission
emphasises the act of sending the documents in
文法句型
application for [something]
application to [do something]
make/submit an application
用法筆記
Often paired with the verbs 'make', 'submit', 'send', or 'fill in', and with the prepositions 'for' (the thing wanted) and 'to' (the body receiving it). Compound forms like 'job application' or 'visa application' are very common.
常見錯誤
2. software, often shortened in speech to 'app', that you install on a phone or com
software, often shortened in speech to 'app', that you install on a phone or computer so it can do one kind of task such as editing photos, sending messages, or paying bills.
Noa downloaded a new banking application onto her phone.
common verb: download an application
Most office workers use a spreadsheet application every day.
[type] + application
The map application crashed while I was driving home.
Our team built an application that helps farmers track rainfall.
Please close any open applications before you restart the laptop.
文法句型
application for [device/purpose]
open/run/install an application
用法筆記
In everyday spoken English, the short form 'app' is far more common, especially for phones. 'Application' is preferred in business and technical writing, and for desktop programs (e.g. 'desktop application').
常見錯誤
3. the way an idea, method, or piece of knowledge is used to solve real problems or
the way an idea, method, or piece of knowledge is used to solve real problems or make real things happen, rather than only being talked about in theory.
Dr. Rohan studies the application of laser technology to eye surgery.
application of X to Y
This new material has many applications in the building industry.
have applications in [field]
Ines wanted to see the practical application of the formulas she learned at school.
The team is exploring real-world applications for the robot they built.
- use
more everyday; 'application' sounds more technical
- implementation
stresses the act of putting a plan into practice
- function
what something does, narrower than 'application'
- theory
ideas without real-world use
文法句型
application of [something] (to [something])
have an application in [field]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (the moment of putting something into operation). This sense names the kind of use itself — areas, fields, or problems where the thing is useful — and is often plural ('applications').
常見錯誤
4. the act of putting paint, cream, glue, or another substance onto a surface, or a
the act of putting paint, cream, glue, or another substance onto a surface, or a thin layer of that substance once it has been put there.
The wooden door needs two applications of paint to look smooth.
two/several applications of [substance]
The nurse showed Aunt Rosa the correct application of the burn cream.
application of + [medical product]
After the application of glue, press the two pieces of wood together for one minute.
A second application of sunscreen is needed every two hours at the beach.
- removal
taking the substance off
文法句型
application of [substance] (to [surface])
用法筆記
Often appears in instructions on packages, in medical advice, or in DIY guides. The substance is usually liquid, soft, or sticky — paint, cream, glue, polish, oil — and the surface is usually skin, wood, metal, or fabric.
5. the steady, focused effort that someone gives to studying or working on a task o
the steady, focused effort that someone gives to studying or working on a task over a long time so that they can do it well or finish it.
With patient application, Noa mastered the violin in three years.
with + application
The teacher praised the boy's quiet application to his math homework.
application to [task]
Ines has talent, but she lacks the application needed to reach the top.
Years of careful application turned her small bakery into a city favourite.
- diligence
very close in meaning, slightly more formal
- dedication
stresses loyalty to the task, not just hard work
- perseverance
stresses not giving up despite difficulty
- laziness
lack of effort
- negligence
carelessness about a task
文法句型
with application
show/lack application
用法筆記
Sounds quite formal and is more common in writing or in school reports than in casual speech. Often paired with adjectives like 'patient', 'quiet', 'steady', 'careful', and used after 'with' or 'lack'.
6. the act of putting a rule, law, or principle into operation and enforcing it, so
the act of putting a rule, law, or principle into operation and enforcing it, so that those covered by it must obey.
The fair application of the new tax law took several months to prepare.
application of [law]
Officials are studying the application of the safety rules at small factories.
application of [rules]
Strict application of the dress code surprised many students on the first day.
The judge questioned the unequal application of the policy across districts.
- enforcement
stresses making people obey, often by police or officials
- implementation
the whole process of putting a plan into action
- suspension
stopping a rule from being used for a time
文法句型
application of [a rule/law/principle]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (areas where something is useful) — this sense focuses on the moment of switching a rule on and enforcing it. Common in legal, political, and policy writing; rare in everyday speech.
7. the question of which people, cases, or situations a rule, idea, or piece of adv
the question of which people, cases, or situations a rule, idea, or piece of advice covers and is meant for.
The old fishing rule has no application to modern boats with engines.
have no application to [X]
This warning has special application to drivers in heavy snow.
have special application to [group]
The professor explained the application of the principle to small businesses.
The privacy policy has wide application to anyone using the website.
- irrelevance
having no connection at all
文法句型
have (no/some/wide) application to [something]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 6: sense 6 is the act of switching a rule on; this sense answers 'who or what does this rule actually concern?'. Often follows 'have' plus an adjective like 'no', 'some', 'wide', 'special', or 'limited', and takes 'to'.