applicable

applicable — adjective

1. fitting a particular case, so that a rule, idea, or statement can be used there

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

fitting a particular case, so that a rule, idea, or statement can be used there or counts in that situation.

Example

The safety rule is applicable to every worker on the building site.

applicable to + person/group

This student discount is not applicable on early morning trains.

common negative form: not applicable

Common collocations
  • applicable law
  • applicable rule
  • applicable standard
  • applicable fee
  • applicable discount
  • applicable regulations
Synonyms
  • relevant

    broader; something can be relevant to a topic without being directly usable in that case.

  • appropriate

    focuses more on being a suitable choice than on a rule or fact covering a case.

  • pertinent

    more formal and often used for remarks or information closely tied to a discussion.

Antonyms
  • inapplicable

    direct opposite when a rule, statement, or condition does not fit the case.

  • irrelevant

    means not connected to the topic or matter being discussed.

  • unsuitable

    focuses on poor fit or bad choice rather than whether something covers a case.

Grammar Patterns

applicable to + noun

applicable in + situation

applicable law

not applicable

Usage Note

Most often follows be and is usually followed by to or in: applicable to children, applicable in this case. In formal writing, it also appears before nouns such as law, rule, standard, and fee.

Common Mistakes

This rule is applicable for all workers.
This rule is applicable to all workers.
the usual preposition after the adjective is 'to'.
I applied this discount to students only.
This discount is applicable to students only.
use applicable when you mean a rule or offer fits a group or case.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For this sense, applicable is strongest when a rule, law, fee, idea, or statement fits a particular case and can be used there. Relevant is broader: something may be relevant simply because it is connected to the topic, even if it does not directly govern the case. Appropriate focuses on suitability or good choice, not on whether a rule or fact covers the situation. Pertinent is more formal and is often used for points or details that closely relate to a discussion. In official or legal writing, applicable is especially common. You can say The safety rule is applicable to all staff, The extra detail is relevant, and Jeans are not appropriate for the ceremony.

applicable ↗relevant ↗appropriate ↗pertinent ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • applicable law
  • applicable rule
  • applicable standard
  • applicable fee

Adverbs

  • directly applicable
  • generally applicable
  • widely applicable

Phrases

  • be applicable to all staff
  • be applicable in this case
  • not applicable
  • where applicable

Prepositions

  • applicable to
  • applicable in

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Applicable was formed in English from apply and the ending -able. Apply came through Old French from Latin applicare, a verb meaning 'bring into contact' or 'put to use'. From that history, applicable developed the idea of something fitting a case and being usable in it.