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formula Definition

for·mula (fôr′myo̵̅o̅ lə, -myə-)

noun pl. -·las or -·lae′---lē′, -lī′

  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
    1. directions for preparing a medicine, a paint, a baby's food, etc.
    2. 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 = πr is the formula for determining the area of a circle
  6. Chem. an expression of the composition of a compound (or a radical, etc.) by a combination of symbols and figures to show the constituents

Etymology: L, dim. of forma, form

adjective

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.

formula Synonyms

formula

n.

  1. A prescription

    direction, specifications, description, formulary, recipe; see also method 2.

  2. A set speech or form

    rote, creed, credo, ritual, established mode, rubric, code, formal statement; see also custom 1, 2.

  3. A statement of a supposed truth

    ratio, logarithm, equation, recipe, prescription, theorem. see element 2.

    For formulas of the elements;

formula Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • derive: Using this domain derive a formula for the inverse function.
  • devise: To calculate the cost of an annuity de Witt devised a formula based on a hypothetical group of 768 lives.
  • rearrange: Extracting relationships from data, manipulation, solving simple equations, rearranging formulae.
  • apply: I have now applied similar spreadsheet formulae to Pensions.
  • repeat: Nothing is more dangerous in politics, especially in a critical period, than to repeat general formulas without examining their social content.
  • simplify: At the same time, we will simplify the formulas used in order to increase transparency and accountability.

Preposition: for

  • harmony: Marriage Advice: Eight Steps to Marital Harmony The formula for marital harmony and success is not a mysterious secret.

Adjective modifier

  • infant: Infant formulas supplemented with these fatty acids have also been associated with lower blood pressure.
  • winning: Learn the tips for a winning business plan formula to attract the right investment for your business.
  • soya-based: It noted that suppliers of soya protein isolate, used in the manufacture of soya-based formulae, had investigated means of reducing phytoestrogen levels.
  • mathematical: The site also provides the mathematical formulae for the units given.
  • herbal: The treatment section emphasizes acupuncture with some further suggestions for herbal medicine formulas.
  • molecular: This data indicates a molecular formula of C 28 H 42.

Modifies a noun

  • milk: Giving the baby formula milk instead of breastfeeding Can you treat HIV?

Noun used with modifier

  • soya: Do you know why they dont advise soya formulas for young boys?
  • shared-care: It is impossible to have fair shared-care formula that doesn't look at both parents ' income.
  • infant: Soya infant formulas should only be used on the advice of a GP or other health professional.
  • summation: The relationship is expressed more exactly by Abel's summation formula.
  • milk: He has come more under attack for his role in marketing baby milk formula in the developing world.
  • sumif: Do you know how to use the sumif formula in Excel?
formula Quotes

I remember summing up what I took to be ourdestiny, in conversation with my best friend at Chartres, by the formula,'Term, holidays, term, holidays, till we leave school, and then work, work, work till we die.'

—Lewis, C(live) S(taples)

Far too many relied on the classic formula of a beginning, a muddle, and an end. Larwood

—Larkin, Philip Arthur

I thought that writing a detective story would be a wonderful apprenticeship because, whatever people tell you, a crime novel is not easy to write well. As I continued with my craft I became increasingly fascinated by the form and realized that you can use the formula to say something true about men and women and the society in which they live.

—Baroness

Browse dictionary entries near formula

  1. ‹ Formosa Strait
  2. ‹ Formosa
  3. ‹ formless
  4. ‹ formidable
  5. ‹ formicary
  6. ‹ Formica
  7. ‹ formic
  8. ‹ formerly
  9. ‹ former
  10. ‹ formed
  1. formulaic ›
  2. formularize ›
  3. formulary ›
  4. formulate ›
  5. formulism ›
  6. formulize ›
  7. formyl ›
  8. Fornax ›
  9. fornicate ›
  10. fornication ›