formula

Plural: formulae, formulas, formulæ

Noun

• An exact method or prescribed rule for doing something.
• a group of symbols that make a mathematical statement
• directions for making something
• a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle
• a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements
• something regarded as a normative example
  • "his formula for impressing visitors"
• a liquid food for infants
• (mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems
  • "he gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials"
• Any mathematical rule expressed symbolically.
• A symbolic expression of the structure of a compound.
• A plan or method for dealing with a problem or for achieving a result.
• A formulation; a prescription; a mixture or solution made in a prescribed manner; the identity and quantities of ingredients of such a mixture.
• A fixed phrase or set of words intended to be interpeted non-literally, typically used attitudinally or as part of convention; a formulation.
• A formal statement of doctrine.
• Ellipsis of infant formula, drink given to babies to substitute for mother's milk.
• A syntactic expression of a proposition, built up from quantifiers, logical connectives, variables, relation and operation symbols, and, depending on the type of logic, possibly other operators such as modal, temporal, deontic or epistemic ones.

Examples

• Avoid the typical epistolic formalae, such as "Kind regards".
• He tried to apply a winning formula to every game, but sometimes creativity trumps strict rules.
• H₂O is the formula for water.
• The company's winning formula includes excellent service and quality products.
• The formula of the rocket fuel has not been revealed.
• They tried switching formulas, and it seemed to work: the baby seemed more content while feeding.

Synonyms

chemical formula, convention, expression, normal, pattern, recipe, rule, mathematical formula

Related Words

form, formulaic, formulism