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Meaning & use

formula

noun·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈfɔːmjələ/
US/ˈfɔːrmjələ/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A set of symbols or a rule that shows a mathematical or scientific relationship.

    Grammar: Countable; plural is formulas or formulae. Use it for the written expression, not the calculation itself.

    Patterns

    • a formula for something
    • the formula for calculating something
    • use/apply a formula

    The formula for the area of a circle is πr².

    Students must memorize several chemical formulas for the exam.

    He wrote the formula on the board so everyone could copy it.

  2. nouncountable

    A fixed method or plan that is expected to produce a particular result.

    Grammar: Countable; often used with 'for' + goal or result.

    Patterns

    • a formula for success
    • a formula for doing something
    • follow a formula

    The company's formula for success is simple: listen to customers.

    There is no magic formula for learning a language; you just have to practice.

    The team followed the same winning formula as last season.

  3. noununcountable

    A powdered or liquid food made for babies instead of breast milk.

    Grammar: Uncountable; use 'baby formula' to be clear.

    Patterns

    • baby formula
    • feed a baby formula
    • a bottle of formula

    She couldn't breastfeed, so she gave the baby formula.

    This brand of formula is designed for newborns.

    He warmed a bottle of formula for the midnight feed.

Word forms

pluralformulas
plural (technical)formulae

Common combinations

magic formula
There is no magic formula for happiness.
chemical formula
Water's chemical formula is H₂O.
winning formula
The coach stuck with his winning formula.
infant formula
Infant formula must be prepared carefully.

Synonyms and how they differ

equation
An equation states that two expressions are equal; a formula is a general rule for finding a value.
recipe
Recipe is used for cooking instructions or a figurative plan, while formula is more formal and often mathematical.
method
Method is a general way of doing something; formula suggests a fixed, proven set of steps.

Word family

formulate verb
To create or express something in a clear, organized way.
formulation noun
The act of creating something carefully, or the result of that process.
formulaic adjective
Following a fixed pattern, often in a way that lacks originality.

Commonly confused: formula or formulae?

formula vs formulae

Formulae is the traditional plural used in scientific writing, but formulas is now common everywhere.

Practice

The chemical ___ for water is H₂O.

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