applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈa-pli-kənt 

: one who applies

a job applicant

Synonyms

• candidate

Examples of applicant in a Sentence

We interviewed 30 qualified applicants for the job.

have numerous applicants for the job

Recent Examples on the Web

With 64% of job applicants admitting to résumé falsification, up from 55% just two years ago, according to StandOut CV, companies are hemorrhaging money on staffing and bad hires while genuine talent slips through traditional screening processes. —Douglas B. Laney, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Elite Chinese universities fail to attract applicants China’s historically elite universities face growing pressure from a diverse crop of competitors courting applicants fearful of a brutal labor market. —Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 29 Aug. 2025

As part of the settlement, Buffalo Wild Wings must report to the EEOC when job applicants request religious accommodations and when employees report religious discrimination or retaliation, according to the agency. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025

Employers must be careful to avoid taking a suspicious view of a job applicant without a good reason. —Andy Rose, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

applicate "to apply, put to use" (borrowed from Latin applicātus, past participle of applicāre "to bring into contact [with], situate near, bring to bear [on]") + -ant entry 1 — more at apply

First Known Use

circa 1742, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

applicant

noun

ap·​pli·​cant ˈap-li-kənt 

: one who applies for something

an applicant for work