An applicant is someone who formally asks to be considered for something they want, whether that's a spot in a program, a job, admission to a school, or another opportunity. When you fill out forms to try out for a competitive sports team, you become an applicant for that team. When your older sibling sends materials to colleges hoping to be accepted, they're a college applicant.

Being an applicant means you're in a state of waiting and hoping: you've done your part by submitting your application (your request and supporting materials), and now someone else decides whether to accept you.

A strong applicant typically shows they're qualified and genuinely interested in the opportunity. If you're applying to a summer science camp, you might strengthen your application by describing experiments you've done or explaining why you love science. Job applicants often send résumés listing their experience and skills.

You might hear someone say, “We had fifty applicants for ten spots,” meaning fifty people formally requested to be chosen. The process of being an applicant can feel nerve-wracking because you've put yourself forward and now must wait for someone else's decision.