The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - apply v.

1) fasten, fix, affix, stick, cement, glue: The signs were applied to the window with a special substance. 2) administer, rub in or on, embrocate: The doctor said to apply this ointment before retiring. 3) appropriate, assign, allot, credit; use, utilize, employ, put to use: He had many skills, but failed to apply them in his daily work. The money raised for food was illegally applied to paying the administrators. 4) bear, have bearing; be relevant, refer, pertain, appertain, relate, suit: I am not sure that the law applies to this situation. 5) devote, dedicate, commit, focus, concentrate, pay attention, address; do, attend, tend, Colloq buckle down (to) : He stubbornly applies himself to the task at hand. 6) seek, go after; register, bid, try out, put in; audition, interview, make application: Are you qualified to apply for a job as a nanny? 7 petition, solicit; appeal, request: Geraldine applied to the court for compensation.