formulate [fawr-myuh-leyt] SynonymsWord Origin 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.
Origin of formulate First recorded in 1855–60; formul(a) + -ate1 Related formsfor·mu·la·ble [fawr-myuh-luh-buhl] /ˈfɔr myə lə bəl/, adjectivefor·mu·la·tion, nounfor·mu·la·tor, nounnon·for·mu·la·tion, nounpre·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, adjectiveSynonyms for formulate 1. articulate, frame, compose, define, specify. British Dictionary definitions for well-formulated formulate verb (tr)
- to put into or express in systematic terms; express in or as if in a formula
- to devise
Derived Formsformulator, noun Word Origin and History for well-formulated formulate v.
1860, “to express in a formula,” from formula + -ate. Related: Formulated; formulating.