Word
applicable
Meanings
Relevant or appropriate to a specific situation or set of conditions; able to be used because it applies.
Able to be put into practice in a real-world setting; practical and usable.
Definition
Relevant or suitable for a particular situation, rule, or purpose.
If something is applicable, it applies to a particular person, situation, or set of conditions. It means the information, rule, or idea is relevant and can be used in that context. People often use it in formal or academic writing to clarify scope and limits.
Examples
- The guidelines are applicable only when the project involves external partners and shared data.
- I checked whether the exemption was applicable to my case before I submitted the form.
- Her critique was specific, but not all of it was applicable to our current timeline.
- They asked for examples that were applicable to everyday work rather than abstract theory.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "applicable" with "appreciable" or use the wrong preposition (say "applicable for" instead of "applicable to").
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.