noun
Common
App
ap
App (noun) means a software application, especially one designed for a phone or tablet. Example: “She downloaded a new app to track her workouts.”
noun
1
A software application, especially one designed for a phone or tablet.
"Want realtime flight and gate updates? A calorie counter? A remote for your DVD player? Chances are there's an app for it. Smartphones separate themselves in another key area: connectivity"
— Popular Science (2005)
"She downloaded a new app to track her workouts."
"The bank's app lets you deposit checks by taking a photo."
"A visual tool can be thought of as a graphics app that generates most of your program's GUI code for you"
— Maximum PC (1999)
"Parking is by app, which (when it works) is good. But £7.70 to park is extortionate, so GTR needs to look at reducing that."
— 'Mystery Shopper', About Anglia... and high scores (2025)
How to use App
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA piece of software you install and use, especially on a phone.
Common pairings
mobile app
download an app
app store
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Word forms
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She downloaded a new _____ to track her workouts.
Etymology
A shortening of "application" (as in application software), popularized with the rise of smartphones.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for App
See all rhymes for App →Frequently asked questions
What does “App” mean?
The word “App” means a software application, especially one designed for a phone or tablet. In plain terms, a piece of software you install and use, especially on a phone.
How do you pronounce “App”?
“App” is pronounced ap ([æʔp̚] in IPA).
How do you use “App” in a sentence?
Here is “App” used in a sentence: “She downloaded a new app to track her workouts.”
What part of speech is “App”?
“App” is a noun.
Is “App” a common word?
“App” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between an app and a program?
An app is a type of software program, but the word usually refers to compact applications built for phones and tablets, often doing one focused job. "Program" is far broader, covering everything from operating systems to large desktop software. Every app is a program, but not every program is called an app.
What are the types of apps?
Apps generally fall into three groups. Native apps are built for one platform, such as iOS or Android, and installed from an app store. Web apps run inside a browser with no installation. Hybrid apps combine both, wrapping web technology inside a downloadable shell. Each type balances performance, cost, and reach differently.
What is the difference between an app and a website?
A website is viewed through a browser and loads each page over a live connection. An app is usually installed on your device, can work partly offline, and taps directly into hardware like the camera or GPS. Apps tend to feel faster and more integrated, while websites are instantly accessible anywhere without downloading.
What does app stand for?
"App" is simply a shortened form of "application," meaning application software. The clipping spread with the rise of smartphones and app stores around 2008. Although the full word still exists, "app" is now the everyday term, especially for the small, single-purpose programs people download onto their phones and tablets.
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