formula
noun OPAL W
/ˈfɔːmjələ/
/ˈfɔːrmjələ/
(plural formulas or formulae
Formulae is used especially in scientific language. /ˈfɔːmjəliː/
/ˈfɔːrmjəliː/
)- [countable] (mathematics) a series of letters, numbers or symbols that represent a rule or law
- This formula is used to calculate the area of a circle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complex
- complicated
- simple
- …
- devise
- work out
- apply
- …
- formula for
- [countable] (chemistry) letters and symbols that show the parts of a chemical compound, etc.
- CO is the formula for carbon monoxide.
Wordfinder- acid
- catalyst
- chemistry
- compound
- formula
- molecule
- pH
- react
- solution
- valency
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complex
- complicated
- simple
- …
- devise
- work out
- apply
- …
- formula for
- [countable] a particular method of doing or achieving something
- They're trying to work out a peace formula acceptable to both sides in the dispute.
- All the patients were interviewed according to a standard formula.
- formula for something/for doing something There's no magic formula for a perfect marriage.
- We think we might have hit on a winning formula.
Extra Examples- Each of his novels follows the same successful formula.
- What is their formula for success?
- The government was forced to find a face-saving formula to cover its misjudgement.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- good
- magic
- successful
- …
- have
- follow
- come up with
- …
- formula for
- [countable] a list of the things that something is made from, giving the amount of each substance to use
- the secret formula for the blending of the whisky
- (also formula milk)[uncountable, countable] a type of liquid food for babies, given instead of breast milk
- [countable] a class of racing car, based on engine size, etc.
- Formula One™ racing
- [countable] a fixed form of words used in a particular situation
- What are the correct legal formulae for this kind of letter?
- The minister keeps coming out with the same tired formulas.
Word Originearly 17th cent. (in the sense ‘fixed form of words’): from Latin, diminutive of forma ‘shape, mould’.