app
software program on a device
A small computer program you use on your phone, tablet, or computer to do a specific thing, like chat, play games, or check the weather.
an app for [doing something]
- I use a budgeting app to track all my expenses.
- You can download the airline’s app to check in before you get to the airport.
- This app keeps crashing every time I try to upload a photo.
- Our company is developing a new app for online language learning.
- Make sure the app is updated to the latest version before you log in.
- I have a music app on my phone.
- She uses an app to learn English every day.
- He opened the taxi app and ordered a car.
- You can get this app for free.
- This app helps me remember my passwords.
starter dish in a restaurant
A short, casual way to say “appetizer,” the small food you eat before the main dish in a restaurant.
an app before [the main course]
- Let’s just get a couple of apps and a salad to share.
- They have half-price apps during happy hour.
- We ordered some apps while we waited for our friends to arrive.
- The server recommended a few popular apps from the menu.
- We skipped the apps and went straight to the main dishes.
- We ordered two apps for the table.
- Do you want to share an app before dinner?
- The restaurant has many apps on the menu.
- He likes to get an app and a drink after work.
- They had free apps at the party.
abbreviation of application form
A short, casual way to say “application,” meaning the form you fill in to ask for a job, school place, or something similar.
to fill out an app for [something]
- Don’t forget to submit your college app before the deadline.
- I still need to finish my job app this weekend.
- She filled out an online app for a credit card.
- The internship requires a short app and a cover letter.
- He sent in the housing app as soon as it opened.
- I sent my job app yesterday.
- She is working on her college app now.
- You must fill in the app before Friday.
- He completed the online app in 20 minutes.
- They read every app very carefully.
- Base: app
- Plural: apps
app store
1online shop for apps
A place on your phone or computer where you can search for, download, and sometimes buy apps.
- You can find the game in the app store by searching its name.
- The app was removed from the app store for breaking the rules.
banking app
1app for managing bank accounts
An app from your bank that lets you check your money, send payments, and do other banking on your phone.
- I use the banking app to check my balance every morning.
- The bank’s mobile app lets you deposit checks by taking a photo.
dating app
1app for meeting romantic partners
An app that helps people meet and chat with possible romantic partners.
- They met on a dating app two years ago.
- She deleted all her dating apps after starting a serious relationship.
desktop app
1installed program on a computer
A program you install on a desktop or laptop computer, not used in a web browser.
- You can use our service through the website or the desktop app.
- The desktop app stores files locally on your computer.
fitness app
1app for exercise and health
An app that helps you exercise, track your steps, or follow workout plans.
- Her fitness app reminds her to move every hour.
- The fitness app records my runs and shows my progress over time.
food delivery app
1app for ordering delivered food
An app that lets you order food from restaurants and have it brought to your home or office.
- We used a food delivery app to order dinner last night.
- During the pandemic, many restaurants joined food delivery apps.
messaging app
1app for sending messages
An app that lets people send texts, voice messages, pictures, and videos to each other.
- We use a messaging app to coordinate with the team.
- The messaging app offers end-to-end encryption for all chats.
music app
1app for listening to music
An app you use to listen to, download, or stream music.
- I pay for a premium music app so I can listen offline.
- The music app suggested a playlist based on my favorite artists.
ride-hailing app
1app for booking car rides
An app you use to ask for a car ride, usually from a driver using their own car, and pay through the app.
- We booked a car through a ride-hailing app at the airport.
- Ride-hailing apps have changed how people move around big cities.
social media app
1app for social networking
An app where people share photos, videos, messages, and other content with friends or the public.
- He spends hours every day on social media apps.
- The new social media app is especially popular with teenagers.
web app
1application that runs in a browser
A program you use inside a web browser, like Chrome or Safari, instead of installing it on your device.
- Their product is a web app that runs in any modern browser.
- The web app automatically saves your changes online.
mobile app
1Software for portable devices
A computer program you use on your phone or tablet.
- I downloaded a new mobile app for tracking my workouts.
- The company launched a new mobile app for online banking.
- This mobile app helps you learn new languages.
- Our service is available on the web and through a mobile app.