Synonyms

formulate

American

[fawr-myuh-leyt] / ˈfɔr myəˌleɪt /

verb (used with object)

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically.

He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

Synonyms:

specify, define, compose, frame, articulate
to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.
to reduce to or express in a formula.

formulate British

/ ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt /

verb

to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
to devise

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate ¹

Explanation

To formulate is to come up with a plan. If you are locked out of your house, you'll need to formulate a plan to get back inside — preferably one that doesn't involve kicking in the door. You can also use the verb formulate to mean "put into words." If too many people are showing up at your work in inappropriate clothes, your company may formulate a dress code policy. They may, for example, decree that shoes must be worn at all times. The verb can also mean "to develop a formula for something." If the dog ate the chicken you were going to use in your dinner, you may need to formulate a new recipe for chicken-less pot pie.

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Vocabulary lists containing formulate

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Faison: When the pandemic happened, Zach and I did a rewatch podcast of “Scrubs,” and that’s where all of this started to formulate again.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

Radcliffe hoped they would formulate a set of bipartisan recommendations to the state legislature.

From Salon • May 12, 2026

Florida counties generally formulate the assessed value using a percentage of the home’s sales price, he explained.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Alex’s reporting focuses in particular on the inner workings of the National Security Council and how top players in an administration formulate and execute foreign policy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 22, 2026

Surveys to determine what issues bothered parents and students were drawn up and mailed out, and the responses were processed in order to formulate an agenda.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023