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

Think of Taylor Swift pricing concert tickets at $99 when millions of fans would pay 10 times that, or a university with 50,000 applicants for 2,000 freshman seats. —Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 23 Mar. 2026

Because of the large number of applicants, the Oceanside City Council is scheduled to review the selection process Wednesday and consider ways to narrow the field for public interviews at a meeting April 1. —Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026

The legislation says that the identification must be compliant with new REAL ID rules and also indicate that the applicant is a citizen of the United States — which few state licenses do. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026

Staff will review applicants, then ask for proposals from the top three firms. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 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