applicant

Everyday

An applicant is a person who asks in writing or by a form to get something, such as a job, a place at a school, a passport or a loan. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday and formal texts it names a person who applied. In maths problems it may be a count: how many applicants there are for how many places. Phrases: «job applicant», «successful applicant», «applicants must …».

Examples

• There were 40 applicants for the job. tree →
• Each applicant filled in a form. tree →
• The successful applicant will start next week. tree →
• Applicants must be over 16. tree →
• 120 applicants for 30 places: how many applicants per place? tree →
• The school wrote to every applicant. tree →
• “It is spoken like a hero,” he admitted after a moment, “and if you cannot be matched on those terms it will not be from a dearth of applicants.” tree →

Note

Countable: an applicant, applicants. From the verb apply; the action is an «application». Formal word. Maths: «applicants per place» = applicants ÷ places.