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

The transcript analysis found that applicants who asked more questions while the AI agent was still gathering information were less likely to receive a job offer. —Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

The first set were selected from a group of more than 120 applicants, Shaw said. —Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026

But the 2023 decision promulgated the racist myth that the plaintiffs had been rejected in favor of less qualified Black and Brown applicants. —Literary Hub, 21 May 2026

Centuries ago, authors wrote errata lists for the same reason job applicants intentionally place typos in their cover letters today—to resist the universalizing force of new technology, and to prove that there is a real human behind their work. —Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 21 May 2026

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