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applicable

applicable

84 4.4
Suitable for a situation or purpose
  • adjective
  • /əˈplɪkəbl/
translation icon : aplicable
  • He wanted to find a solution that was applicable to the specific challenges faced by the team.
  • applicable to a situation
  • not applicable
  • directly applicable

You'll know when they when they are applicable and how to apply them.

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Examples

  • In so doing, it provides a conception of the public interest applicable at the national and international levels.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The provisions of the Immigration Act and Regulations are still applicable to that situation.

    Academic text (1990)
  • So of course, this is only applicable if kids are involved, right?

  • OK, so it might be applicable in some places.

  • But the letter itself is applicable to all women?

  • This is not applicable to your state income taxes.

  • Some questions in our study were not applicable to a substantial number of the students.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The effort throughout has been to generate tools applicable for all humans in all types of situations.

    Academic text (1990)
  • We need to learn new techniques that are applicable to new populations.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Grading policies, as written and applied, must be consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

appropriate
vsapplicable
962 3.5

Right for a particular situation, person, or purpose

focuses on being able to be applied rather than just proper
relevant
vsapplicable
592 3.3

Closely connected to what people are talking about or doing

is about suitability for application rather than mere connection
suitable
vsapplicable
172 1.8

Right for a certain purpose, person, or situation

stresses capability of actual application rather than simple fitting
pertinent
vsapplicable
58 4.9

Connected to the main topic or situation

is more about being usable in a situation rather than direct relation
apposite
vsapplicable
  • Formal
1 8.0

Very suitable and relevant to a particular situation

is broader, covering general usefulness not only precise fit

Antonyms

2 6.7

Not relevant or suitable in a particular situation

How Applicable

applicable
84 4.4
pertinent
58 4.9
relevant
592 3.3
irrelevant
355 3.6

Surface Forms

applicable positive

Morphology

applicable = apply (transparent) = apply + able

The adjective is a regular formation from the verb 'apply' with '-able', meaning 'capable of being applied'; learners who know 'apply' will usually infer this meaning.

Etymology

The word applicable comes from the verb apply, which itself comes from old parts ad- meaning 'to' and plicare meaning 'fold' or 'attach'. So if something is applicable, it can be 'put on' a situation, meaning it fits or is relevant.