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formic

American

[fawr-mik] / ˈfɔr mɪk /

adjective

of or relating to ants.
Chemistry. of or derived from formic acid.

formic British

/ ˈfɔːmɪk /

adjective

of, relating to, or derived from ants
of, containing, or derived from formic acid

"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

Etymology

Origin of formic

1785–95; irregular < Latin formīca ant. Cf. French formique

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.

The formic acid, in turn, provides fuel for the cell's growth, creating a self-sustaining loop that drives pigment production.

From Science Daily • Nov. 3, 2025

This metabolism creates toxic by-products called formaldehyde, formate and formic acid.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2024

The formic acid then evaporates as the noodle flies through the air to the metal plate.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2024

A low-cost, tin-based catalyst can selectively convert carbon dioxide to three widely produced chemicals -- ethanol, acetic acid and formic acid.

From Science Daily • May 21, 2024

The substances formed as a result of this activity are certain acids—lactic, butyric, formic, acetic, oxalic, and possibly alcohol.

From Dietetics for Nurses by Proudfit, Fairfax T.

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