applied

adjective

ap·​plied ə-ˈplīd 

1

: put to practical use

applied art

especially : applying general principles to solve definite problems

applied sciences

2

: working in an applied science

an applied physicist

Synonyms

• actionable
• applicable
• applicative
• functional
• practicable
• practical
• serviceable
• ultrapractical
• usable
• useable
• useful
• workable
• working

Examples of applied in a Sentence

a professor of applied science

used some applied psychology to get the teenager to become more responsible

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s where the distinction between applied and contextual AI becomes critical. —Bytheodore Krantz Jr, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

At the time, most basic and applied research was done by the military. —Paul Bierman, The Conversation, 15 May 2025

This includes tech startups like Queen One, which just signed a 10-year lease for its new headquarters in Williamsburg, joining a thriving innovation ecosystem in Brooklyn and contributing to New York City’s status as the applied AI capital of the world. —Adolfo Carrión Jr, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025

The Latin root of compliance means a physical response to force—what happens to a bodily organ under applied pressure. —Zoe Roth april 30, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from past participle of apply

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for applied

• abide
• allied
• aside
• astride
• azide
• backside
• bankside
• bastide
• bayside
• bedside
• belied
• beside

Kids Definition

applied

adjective

ap·​plied ə-ˈplīd 

: put to use in practice or action

especially : applying general principles to solve problems that have clear limits

applied sciences

Medical Definition

applied

adjective

ap·​plied ə-ˈplīd 

: put to practical use

especially : applying general principles to solve definite problems

applied sciences

applied psychology