Applicant Definition, Examples & Common Usage

Meaning 1：someone who applies (applicant)

applicant 🔊

/ˈæplɪkənt/

A person who formally asks for something, like a job or a place at a school.

Applicant filling out an online job application form on a computer

someone who applies 🔊

➕

/ˈsʌmwʌn huː əˈplaɪz/

A person who formally requests something, such as a job, admission to a school, or a loan.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'applicare' (to attach) + '-ant' (agent noun suffix).

💡 Mnemonic

Remember 'applicant' as 'app' + 'licant' – someone who 'licks' an envelope to submit their application.

📖 Example

The admissions officer is reviewing all the applicants for this fall semester. 🔊 The admissions officer is reviewing all the people who applied for this fall semester.

🔗 Collocations

job applicant – a person who applies for a job

loan applicant – a person who applies for a loan

applicant pool – the total group of people who apply for a position

🔄 Synonyms

candidate (n.) – a person who is considered for a position, especially in an election or for a job

contender (n.) – a person who competes for a position or prize

aspirant (n.) – a person who has a strong desire to achieve something, such as a job or status

🌱 Derivatives

application (n.) – a formal request to be considered for something

apply (v.) – to make a formal request for something

applicable (adj.) – relevant or appropriate to a particular situation

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'applicare' meaning 'to attach' or 'to apply', the term entered English via Old French. It originally referred to someone who attaches themselves to a request or petition.