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

The nurses say Howard Brown must make nursing jobs more attractive to applicants to resolve staffing issues. —Lisa Schencker, Chicago Tribune, 2 Sep. 2025

Newsweek has documented dozens of cases involving green card holders and applicants who were swept up in the immigration raids and various arrests, as well as several who have been released from detention. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Elite Chinese universities fail to attract applicants China’s historically elite universities face growing pressure from a diverse crop of competitors courting applicants fearful of a brutal labor market. —semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The exhibition features new paintings, sculptures, and works on paper created by 102 juried artists, including international artists representing 16 countries, chosen from 703 applicants who submitted 1,160 artworks for consideration. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 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