applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈa-pli-kənt 

: one who applies

a job applicant

Synonyms

• 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

How companies can protect themselves from hiring North Korean workers The FBI published guidance to help businesses spot when a job applicant may be impersonating someone else during the hiring process. —Shawn Raymundo, AZCentral.com, 26 July 2025

Its policies are nearly instant — if approved, applicants don’t need to undergo a medical exam. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 25 July 2025

Council member Alfredo Castillo is facing five counts of misrepresenting eligibility requirements for voting by absentee ballot and five counts of being present when an absentee ballot applicant executes an absentee ballot and eight counts of possession of ballots and envelopes. —Dave Altimari, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2025

Many applicants reportedly entered the United States without legal inspection, and some were found to have submitted petitions using false information about their age, identity, or nationality, the report claims. —Billal Rahman dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 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