Apply vs Operate: What's the Difference?

Quick Difference

Apply means (transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another). Operate means (transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act..

Apply Meaning

(transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another).

Operate Meaning

(transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.

Apply vs Operate Comparison Table

FeatureApplyOperate

Meaning(transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)(transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act.

Part of speechverbverb

Exampleto apply cream to a rashI'm being operated tomorrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between apply and operate?

Apply means (transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another), while operate means (transitive or intransitive) To perform a work or labour; to exert power or strength, physical or mechanical; to act..