Word forms: plural formulae (fɔːʳmjʊliː), plural formulas
1. countable noun
A formula is a plan that is invented in order to deal with a particular problem.
It is difficult to imagine how the North and South could ever agree on a formulato unify the divided peninsula.
...a peace formula.
2. singular noun
A formula for a particular situation, usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
As world's oldest man, he offered a simple formula for a long and happy life.
Clever exploitation of the latest technology would be a sure formula for success. [+ for]
Socialism does not after all offer a magic formula for prosperity and human dignity.
3. countable noun
A formula is a group of letters, numbers, or other symbols which represents a scientific or mathematical rule.
He developed a mathematical formula describing the distances of the planets fromthe Sun.
4. countable noun
In science, the formula for a substance is a list of the amounts of various substances which make up that substance, or an indication of the atoms that it is composed of.
5. uncountable noun [NOUN num]
Formula is used followed by a number to indicate a particular type of racing car or something relating tothat type of car.
...Formula 1 racing cars.
...Formula 3000 racing.
6. uncountable noun
Formula is a powder which you mix with water to make artificial milk for babies.
...bottles of formula.
Synonyms: mixture, preparation, compound, composition More Synonyms of formula
pragmatics note: formulaeIn this dictionary, the label formulae indicates that the word or expression doesn't change, and that it is used in particularsituations such as greeting, thanking, or congratulating. Examples of formulae areHi, Thanks, and Congratulations!
More Synonyms of formula
formula in British English
(ˈfɔːmjʊlə)
nounWord forms: plural-las or -lae (-ˌliː)
1.
an established form or set of words, as used in religious ceremonies, legal proceedings, etc
2. mathematics, physics
a general relationship, principle, or rule stated, often as an equation, in the form of symbols
3. chemistry
a representation of molecules, radicals, ions, etc, expressed in the symbols of the atoms of their constituent elements
molecular formula, empirical formula, structural formula
4.
a.
a method, pattern, or rule for doing or producing something, often one proved to be successful
b.
(as modifier)
formula fiction
5.
a.
a prescription for making up a medicine, baby's food, etc
b.
a substance prepared according to such a prescription
6. motor racing
the specific category in which a particular type of car competes, judged according to engine size, weight, and fuel capacity
Derived forms
formulaic (ˌfɔːmjʊˈleɪɪk)
adjective
Word origin
C17: from Latin: diminutive of formaform
formula in American English
(ˈfɔrmjulə; ˈfɔrmjələ)
nounWord forms: pluralˈformulas or ˈformuˌlae (ˈfɔrmjuˌl; ˈfɔrmjuˌlaɪ; ˈfɔrmjəˌli; ˈfɔrmjəˌlaɪ)
1.
a fixed form of words, esp. one that has lost its original meaning or force and is now used only as a conventional or ceremonial expression
“Very truly yours” is a formula used in letters
2.
a rule or method for doing something, esp. when conventional and used or repeated without thought
a formula for musical comedies
3.
an exact statement of religious faith or doctrine
4.
a.
directions for preparing a medicine, a paint, a baby's food, etc.
b.
something prepared from such directions; often specif., a milk preparation for feeding a baby
5.
a set of algebraic symbols expressing a mathematical fact, principle, rule, etc.
A = πr2 is the formula for determining the area of a circle
6. Chemistry
an expression of the composition of a compound (or a radical, etc.) by a combination of symbols and figures to show the constituents
see also empirical formula, molecular formula, structural formula
adjective
7.
designating or of any of various classes of racing car or motorcycle specially designed to conform to a particular set of specifications governing size, weight, engine displacement, etc.
Word origin
L, dim. of forma, form
COBUILD Collocations
formula
apply a formula
infant formula
lightweight formula
magic formula
mathematical formula
secret formula
simple formula
successful formula
winning formula
Examples of 'formula' in a sentence
formula
You will come up with a winning formula.
The Sun (2016)
Need time to gel and find a winning formula.
The Sun (2016)
But why rip up a winning formula?
The Sun (2016)
Your new formula for success is taking yourself and your ambition seriously.
The Sun (2017)
This one fitted the formula nicely.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Bell can be found in the Nottingham labs working on the next winning formula.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's an effective formula but one that's devoid of soul or subtlety.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The quantum is a mathematical formula for love.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The waxy formula is good for dry lips.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Yet somehow it has found the elusive magic formula.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This is not a typical formula for success.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Some very expensive courses have a simple formula.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The oil formula makes it feel so much more moisturising on the face.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Sometimes manufacturers change washing powder formulas and you may be allergic to an additional or different chemical.
Martlew, Gillian & Silver, Shelley (ed) The Medicine Chest - your family's guide to prescription drugs (1988)
Use of the formulae is only one of the techniques used.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The firm says it manufactures according to old methods and formulas.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
No attempt at a " scientific formula" for compensation can therefore be completely successful.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
It was fluid but no mathematical formula could really do it justice.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The rest is down to good genes and my unique personal formula for good health.
The Sun (2014)
Both speakers repeat this formula so often that this is the whole conference in miniature.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
So what is the formula to their success?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
For hundreds of pages a simple formula is played out.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is crucial to make formulas up according to pack instructions to avoid excess salt.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The family struggled to agree a formula under which a panel would be established to safeguard editorial independence.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
A new formula agreed means that each country in a package of joint hosts will receive the same full fee.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
In other languages
formula
British English: formula /ˈfɔːmjʊlə/ NOUN
A formula is a plan that is made as a way of dealing with a problem.
...this simple formula for a long and happy life.
American English: formula plan
Arabic: صَيْغَة
Brazilian Portuguese: fórmula
Chinese: 公式
Croatian: formula
Czech: vzorec
Danish: formular
Dutch: formule
European Spanish: fórmula
Finnish: kaava
French: formule
German: Formel
Greek: μαθηματικός τύπος
Italian: formula
Japanese: 公式
Korean: 공식 수학
Norwegian: formel
Polish: formuła
European Portuguese: fórmula
Romanian: formulă
Russian: рецепт
Latin American Spanish: fórmula
Swedish: formel
Thai: สูตร
Turkish: formül
Ukrainian: формула
Vietnamese: công thức
All related terms of 'formula'
Formula One
the top class of professional motor racing
formula milk
An artificial substitute for breast milk intended for feeding infants . It can come in powdered form to be mixed with water or in instant liquid form.
magic formula
A formula for a particular situation , usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
infant formula
Formula is a powder which you mix with water to make artificial milk for babies .
Kekulé formula
a representation of the benzene molecule as six carbon atoms at the corners of a regular hexagon with alternate double and single bonds joining them and with one hydrogen atom bound to each carbon atom
secret formula
A formula for a particular situation , usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
simple formula
A formula for a particular situation, usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
winning formula
A formula for a particular situation , usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
amending formula
a specified process or procedure by which a constitution may be amended
empirical formula
a chemical formula indicating the proportion of each element present in a molecule
molecular formula
a chemical formula indicating the numbers and types of atoms in a molecule
recursion formula
a formula for determining the next term of a sequence from one or more of the preceding terms
reduction formula
a formula, such as sin (90° ± A ) = cos A , expressing the values of a trigonometric function of any angle greater than 90° in terms of a function of an acute angle
Stirling's formula
a formula giving the approximate value of the factorial of a large number n, as n ! ( n / e ) n √(2π n )
structural formula
a chemical formula showing the composition and structure of a molecule . The atoms are represented by symbols and the structure is indicated by showing the relative positions of the atoms in space and the bonds between them
successful formula
A formula for a particular situation , usually a good one, is a course of action or a combination of actions that is certain or likely to result in that situation.
apply a formula
A formula is a plan that is invented in order to deal with a particular problem.
lightweight formula
In science , the formula for a substance is a list of the amounts of various substances which make up that substance, or an indication of the atoms that it is composed of.
mathematical formula
A formula is a group of letters, numbers , or other symbols which represents a scientific or mathematical rule.
Planck's radiation law
the law that energy associated with electromagnetic radiation , as light, is composed of discrete quanta of energy, each quantum equal to Planck's constant times the corresponding frequency of the radiation: the fundamental law of quantum mechanics
Chinese translation of 'formula'
formula
(ˈfɔːmjulə)
Word forms:plformulae (ˈfɔːmjuliː) formulas
n
(c) (Math) 公式 (gōngshì) (个(個), gè)
(c) (Chem) 分子式 (fēnzǐshì) (个(個), gè)
(c) (= plan) 方案 (fāng'àn) (种(種), zhǒng)
(u) (also formula milk) 配方奶粉 (pèifāng nǎifěn)
Formula One (Aut) 一级(級)方程式赛(賽)车(車) (yījí fāngchéngshì sàichē)
1 (noun)
Definition
a plan or set of rules for doing or producing something
The new peace formula means hostilities have ended.
Synonyms
method
new teaching methods
plan
She met her creditors to propose a plan for making repayments.
policy
plans which include changes in foreign policy
rule
according to the rules of quantum theory
principle
the principles of quantum theory
procedure
He did not follow the correct procedure in applying for a visa.
recipe
prescription
the prescription for electoral success
blueprint
the blueprint of a new plan of economic reform
precept
the precepts of Buddhism
modus operandi
We reserve the right to alter our modus operandi.
way
Freezing is a great way to preserve most foods.
2 (noun)
Definition
an established form of words, as used in religious ceremonies, legal proceedings, etc.
He developed a mathematical formula.
Synonyms
form of words
code
phrase
formulary
set expression
3 (noun)
Definition
a powder used to make a milky drink for babies
bottles of formula
Synonyms
mixture
Prepare the mixture carefully.
preparation
a specially formulated natural skin preparation
compound
Organic compounds contain carbon in their molecules.
composition
concoction
This concoction helps to control skin blemishes.
tincture
medicine
Additional synonyms
in the sense of blueprint
Definition
an original description of a plan or idea that explains how it is expected to work
the blueprint of a new plan of economic reform
Synonyms
scheme,
plan,
design,
system,
idea,
programme,
proposal,
strategy,
pattern,
suggestion,
procedure,
plot,
draft,
outline,
sketch,
proposition,
prototype,
layout,
pilot scheme
in the sense of compound
Definition
any combination of two or more parts, features, or qualities
Organic compounds contain carbon in their molecules.