Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

apply oneself

idiom

Definition of apply oneself

: to make oneself work hard in order to complete something successfully
  • If you apply yourself, you might be able to finish the project on time.
  • She applied herself to learning the language.

Word by Word Definitions

apply play

  1. : to put to use especially for some practical purpose

  2. : to bring into action

  3. : to lay or spread on

See the full definition of apply
oneself play

  1. : a person's self : one's own self

  2. : one's normal, healthy, or sane condition or self

See the full definition of oneself

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up apply oneself? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games