formulate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
-
to devise
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of formulate
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.
Vocabulary lists containing formulate
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Shape Up: Form
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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.
Lamas and his colleagues then formulate advice to share with beekeepers around the nation.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
That said, the recent surge in bond yields is starting to convince more investors that that the Fed will need to formulate its message about inflation risks stemming from higher oil prices.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Prasad, the former AI leader, held several emergency meetings with staff to formulate a plan to compete, people familiar with the matter said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
But female guests don’t have their phones or any other resources that might help them formulate informed responses or fact-check Atlas’s dubious statistics.
From Salon • Nov. 21, 2025
We formulate new ideas by analogy, working from what we know toward what we don’t know, and what the reformers knew were the rhythms of the agricultural seasons.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
