formula

formula — noun

1. A set of actions or steps that is known to produce a particular result; a reliab

1.nounB1
Definition

A set of actions or steps that is known to produce a particular result; a reliable way of achieving something.

Example

Daichi found a winning formula for his business by putting customers first.

formula + for + noun/gerund

The coach's simple formula of daily practice brought the team great success.

formula + of + noun

Common collocations
  • formula for success
  • winning formula
  • magic formula
  • simple formula
  • proven formula
Synonyms
  • method

    more general; a formula is typically a proven or repeatable method

  • recipe

    strongly associated with cooking, but used metaphorically like formula

  • approach

    a way of dealing with a problem; less structured than a formula

Antonyms
  • guesswork

    action based on guessing rather than a known method

Grammar Patterns

formula + for + noun/gerund

Usage Note

Often followed by for + noun or gerund to explain what the method achieves, for example a formula for success or a formula for making bread.

Common Mistakes

There is a formula to success.
There is a formula for success.
formula is normally followed by for, not to, when describing what it achieves.

2. A group of letters, numbers, and symbols that expresses a mathematical relations

2.nounB1
Definition

A group of letters, numbers, and symbols that expresses a mathematical relationship or rule, used for calculation.

Example

The teacher wrote the quadratic formula on the board for the students to copy.

Charlotte used a simple formula to calculate the area of each triangle.

used + formula to calculate

Common collocations
  • apply a formula
  • use a formula
  • memorise a formula
  • mathematical formula
  • quadratic formula
Synonyms
  • equation

    a statement that two things are equal; a formula may or may not be an equation

  • rule

    broader; a formula is a rule written in symbols

  • expression

    a combination of symbols; a formula typically has a practical use

Grammar Patterns

use/apply + formula

formula + for + noun

Common Mistakes

I applyed the formula to solve the problem.
I applied the formula to solve the problem.
the past tense of apply is applied, not applyed.

3. A set of letters and numbers that shows which chemical elements are in a substan

3.nounB1
Definition

A set of letters and numbers that shows which chemical elements are in a substance and how many atoms of each element it contains.

Example

The chemical formula for water is H₂O — two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

chemical formula + of/for + substance

Adina learned to read chemical formulas during her first week of chemistry class.

Common collocations
  • chemical formula
  • molecular formula
  • structural formula
  • formula for a compound

Grammar Patterns

the chemical formula + of + noun

Usage Note

In chemical formulas, element symbols are followed by subscript numbers showing atom count. For example, H₂O means two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

4. A specially prepared milk product for babies, given as a substitute for or in ad

4.nounB1
Definition

A specially prepared milk product for babies, given as a substitute for or in addition to breast milk.

Example

The baby's mother heated a bottle of formula for his evening feed.

bottle of formula

The pediatrician recommended a specific brand of formula for the newborn.

Common collocations
  • baby formula
  • infant formula
  • powdered formula
  • bottle of formula
  • formula milk
Synonyms
  • baby milk

    more informal British term; formula is more common in American English

  • infant formula

    the formal, technical term

Antonyms
  • breast milk

    the natural alternative to formula for feeding babies

Usage Note

Can be used as an uncountable noun (some formula) or countable when referring to specific types or brands (many formulas on the market).

Common Mistakes

The mother give the baby formula.
The mother gave the baby formula.
past tense of give is gave.

5. A fixed group of words that is always used in the same manner during a ceremony,

5.nounB2
Definition

A fixed group of words that is always used in the same manner during a ceremony, ritual, or official procedure.

Example

The priest recited the ancient formula during the wedding ceremony at the church.

Politicians often repeat the same tired formula when asked about difficult reforms.

repeat the same formula

Common collocations
  • legal formula
  • opening formula
  • closing formula
  • standard formula
  • ancient formula
Synonyms
  • set phrase

    more general; a formula is a set phrase with a ceremonial or official function

  • convention

    broader; a formula is a specific conventional wording

Usage Note

Often used in legal, religious, or ceremonial contexts where the exact choice of words carries special importance.

formula — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a way of doing something, but they differ in how structured or creative the approach is. A formula is a proven, repeatable set of steps that reliably produces a result — it suggests a predictable outcome, like a mathematical rule or a tested business plan. A method is more general and neutral: any organised way of doing something, whether proven or not. A recipe is closely tied to cooking but extends metaphorically to any situation where ingredients or elements are combined in specific proportions (a recipe for disaster). A technique focuses on the skill or practical procedure used, often in a specialised field (a painting technique, a sales technique). A system is the broadest — an organised set of connected parts working together, which may include multiple methods or formulas. For example, you might have a system for managing a team, use a technique for giving feedback, follow a formula for quarterly reviews, and try a recipe for team bonding.

method ↗recipe ↗technique ↗system ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • develop a formula
  • follow a formula
  • find a formula
  • come up with a formula

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formula comes from Latin, where it was the diminutive form of forma, meaning 'shape, form, or pattern.' A formula was literally 'a small form' — a set pattern or template. The word entered English directly from Latin, first appearing in the 1600s in mathematical and medical contexts. Over time, its meaning expanded from a fixed pattern of words (still used today for ceremonial phrases) to include mathematical expressions, chemical compositions, and, in the 1900s, manufactured baby milk designed according to a precise recipe.