applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈa-pli-kənt 

: one who applies

a job applicant

Synonyms of applicant

• candidate

Examples of applicant in a Sentence

We interviewed 30 qualified applicants for the job.

have numerous applicants for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

For many applicants, momentum is important. —K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 23 Dec. 2025

Man-su, wanting an accurate sense of his competition, invents a fake job opportunity and puts out a call for applicants. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2025

If that time period expires without a decision, applicants may be able to petition for a federal judge to move the process along or, as in the case of a client of his in 2008, swear them in on the spot. —Armando Garcia, ABC News, 23 Dec. 2025

Thus, the permit needed to be amended to retroactively allow that work and permit the applicant to rebuild the house per the secretary of interior’s standards. —Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

applicate "to apply, put to use" (borrowed from Latin applicātus, past participle of applicāre "to bring into contact [with], situate near, bring to bear [on]") + -ant entry 1 — more at apply

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈap-li-kənt 

: one who applies for something

an applicant for work