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

Some applicants may be kept at the border while their cases are processed. —ABC News, 12 June 2026

International Baccalaureate students may be especially disappointed to learn that Yale College will require SAT or ACT scores of all applicants, including IB students, as of this fall. —Dr. Marlena Corcoran, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Conversely, the department said its review of medical school admissions data from 2023 to 2025 found that 93% of white and certain Asian applicants had MCAT scores at or above those of the average Black student. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

In other words, rather than admitting more qualified applicants, the administration has chosen to pressure professors to dumb down the material. —Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 11 June 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