formulate

[ fawr-myuh-leyt ]

/ ˈfɔr myəˌleɪt /

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verb (used with object), for·mu·lat·ed, for·mu·lat·ing.

to express in precise form; state definitely or systematically: He finds it extremely difficult to formulate his new theory.

to devise or develop, as a method, system, etc.

to reduce to or express in a formula.

Nearby words

Origin of formulate

First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate¹

SYNONYMS FOR formulate

1. articulate, frame, compose, define, specify.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR formulate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

for·mu·la·ble

[fawr-myuh-luh-buhl] /ˈfɔr myə lə bəl/, adjectivefor·mu·la·tion, nounfor·mu·la·tor, nounnon·for·mu·la·tion, noun

pre·for·mu·late, verb (used with object), pre·for·mu·lat·ed, pre·for·mu·lat·ing.pre·for·mu·la·tion, nounun·for·mu·lat·ed, adjectivewell-for·mu·lat·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for formulate

After reading the script for this episode, did you formulate any theories about why the Terminans do what they do?
Andrew Lincoln Wants Rick to End With Johnny Cash and the Sunset|Melissa Leon|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It works with members of Congress and the Obama administration to formulate center-left progressive policies.
Intramural War of Words Raises Question of Who Loves Israel More|Linda Killian|January 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
So yes, there was a change in that we applied those algorithms, or the results there-of, to formulate the "who"/"what" response.
Behind the Scenes With the Team That Built Jeopardy's Watson|The Daily Beast|February 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The rise of the government-technology axis has often made it virtually impossible to debate and formulate public policy.
The Ike Speech That Eclipses JFK|Leslie H. Gelb|January 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Then, of course, it gets abandoned, taken out, and thrown away to formulate this piece of strategy to save his business.
Mad Men's Volatile Season|Jace Lacob|October 16, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Before he could formulate the idea that a boat must have been hit in the bends, there were several similar shocks.
Sir Henry Morgan, Buccaneer|Cyrus Townsend Brady
The universal attempt to formulate or to regularize—an attempt that can be made only by disregarding or denying.
The Book of the Damned|Charles Fort
In 1935, a Committee on Varieties and Standards endeavored to formulate a working schedule that would be adopted as official.
Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Thirty-Eighth Annual Meeting|Northern Nut Growers Association
He was one of those men who cannot rest in regard to people they meet till they have made some effort to formulate them.
The Lady of the Aroostook|William Dean Howells
Starting at the lowest level, let us formulate our initial axiom in terms of dollars.
Charities and the Commons: The Pittsburgh Survey, Part II: The Place|Various

British Dictionary definitions for formulate

formulate

/ (ˈfɔːmjʊˌleɪt) /

verb (tr)

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

to devise

Derived Formsformulator, noun

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

Word Origin and History for formulate