formula
- 01 B1 Intermediate
a set of letters or numbers that state a mathematical or scientific rule.
a mathematical rule or relationship expressed in symbols.
Simple“The teacher asked the students to memorise the formula for the area of a circle.”
In context“The physicist derived a new formula to describe the relationship between pressure and temperature in a vacuum.”
UsageCountable in most contexts; often takes the plural 'formulae' in technical writing.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
a plan or method used to deal with a problem or to be successful.
a conventionalised method or set of steps for achieving a specific outcome or solving a problem.
Simple“The company found a winning formula for selling products to younger customers.”
In context“Political analysts argue that the candidate's formula for victory relied heavily on mobilising rural voters through local town halls.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a list of the chemicals or substances that make up a mixture.
a symbolic representation of the chemical composition of a substance or the specific ingredients of a mixture.
Simple“The chemical formula for water is H2O.”
In context“The laboratory spent months refining the formula for the new adhesive to ensure it remained flexible at low temperatures.”
Synonyms - 04 B1 Intermediate
a special liquid food for babies that is used instead of mother's milk.
a manufactured food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age.
Simple“She decided to feed her baby formula because she had to return to work.”
In context“The paediatrician recommended a soy-based formula for the infant due to a suspected dairy allergy.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the substance in general.
Synonymsinfant formulamilk - 05 C1 Advanced
a set of words that people use in certain situations because it is the custom.
a fixed form of words used in particular contexts, such as legal, religious, or social ceremonies.
Simple“The wedding ceremony followed a traditional formula that has been used for centuries.”
In context“The diplomat relied on a polite formula to decline the invitation without causing any international offence.”
Teacher's tipIn linguistics, this refers to 'formulaic language'—chunks of words that speakers use as a single unit.
Synonyms
Usage following formula
“On Monday, Lebanon’s President, Joseph Aoun, voiced support for extending UNIFIL’s mandate and adopting a formula that ensures the continued presence of international forces in the area.”
“His formula is to use a bladed trimmer to slash the tangles of brambles at their trunk-like bases, then yank the woody knots towards him with a rake, to loosen them.”
Learned borrowing from Latin fōrmula (“a small pattern or mold, form, rule, principle, method, formula”), diminutive of forma (“a form”). See form.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.