formula
noun
Simple meaning
A plan or method for dealing with a problem or for achieving a result.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
fawrmyuhluhSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈfɔɹmjələ
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
A plan or method for dealing with a problem or for achieving a result.
mathematics
Any mathematical rule expressed symbolically.
chemistry
A symbolic expression of the structure of a compound.
A formulation; a prescription; a mixture or solution made in a prescribed manner; the identity and quantities of ingredients of such a mixture.
A liquid food for infants
countableuncountable
A manufactured food simulating human breast milk, designed to be fed to babies and infants under twelve months of age.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- B1 · Intermediate
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A plan or method for dealing with a problem or for achieving a result.
Used this way, formula is a reasonably familiar word with a clearly warm, approving pull. It quietly approves while staying precise.
- Emotional tone
- Positive
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Gentle
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Successful and accomplished
- Usage feel
- Precise and approving
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use formula
- “The company's winning formula includes excellent service and quality products.”noun
- “The formula of the rocket fuel has not been revealed.”noun
- “H2O is the formula for water.”noun
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A closed chain of 6 carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached.
A chemical formula based on analysis and molecular weight.
A closed chain of 6 carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached.
An expanded molecular formula showing the arrangement of atoms within the molecule.
A representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements.
A chemical formula showing the ratio of elements in a compound rather than the total number of atoms.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
A substance prepared according to a formula.
A book containing a compilation of pharmaceutical products with their formulas and methods of preparation.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.