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

Jain: That’s a powerful example of applied storytelling. —Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Bracket Calculating the likelihood of a perfect bracket is an exercise in applied probability. —Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025

Jiang, an assistant professor at SIPS, is an applied roboticist with a special focus on image processing and artificial intelligence (AI). —Hope Hodge Seck, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025

Goals workshop: The American Association of University Women Poway/PQ branch will host Vicki Halsey, vice president of applied learning with the Ken Blanchard Companies. —Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 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