formula
gb/fˈɔɹmjulə/ us/fˈɔɹmjulə/
A2
English
~ 2700
képlet, recept, tápszer, babatápszer, csecsemőtápszer, kémiai képlet
NOUN
B1
1
képlet
B1
Usage pattern:
a formula for [something]
The teacher wrote the area formula on the board.
A tanár felírta a terület képletét a táblára.
This chemical formula represents water.
Ez a kémiai képlet a vizet jelöli.
They developed a new formula for reducing waste.
Learner examples
We learned a formula in math class.
Matematikaórán tanultunk egy képletet.
H2O is the formula for water.
A H2O a víz képlete.
I use a simple formula to plan my budget.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'formula' with 'equation'; a formula is a general rule, while an equation is a specific statement with an equals sign.
Meaning
Set of instructions or symbols
Collocations
mathematical formula
|chemical formula
|follow the formula
|formula for success
|scientific formula
Synonyms
recipe (Used for cooking or creating something; less formal outside of food context)
|
method (More general and less technical; applies to many processes)
Antonyms
guess (An answer made without following a set process or calculation)
Themes
science
|mathematics
|education
|communication
Definition
A group of words, numbers, or signs that tell you how to make or do something.
A fixed set of words, numbers, or symbols that shows how to make something, do something, or calculate something.
NOUN
B2
2
recept
B1
Usage pattern:
a formula for [result]
Hard work and persistence are a proven formula for success.
A kemény munka és a kitartás bevált recept a sikerhez.
The company follows a simple formula for customer satisfaction.
A cég egyszerű receptet követ az ügyfelek elégedettségének elérésére.
There is no single formula for happiness.
Learner examples
He found a formula for success.
Megtalálta a siker receptjét.
There is no formula for love.
A szerelemre nincs recept.
They use a formula to win games.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with mathematical formulas; here it refers to a figurative process, not numbers or symbols.
Meaning
Standard method for success or result
Collocations
formula for success
|winning formula
|simple formula
|proven formula
Synonyms
approach (A way of dealing with something; broader in scope)
|
strategy (Implies planned action toward a goal)
Antonyms
improvisation (Doing something without any set method or plan)
Themes
business
|daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A usual way of doing something that works well.
A usual or expected way of doing something that is likely to lead to a particular result.
NOUN
A2
3
The doctor recommended switching to lactose-free baby formula.
Az orvos azt javasolta, hogy váltsanak laktózmentes babatápszerre.
They bought several cans of infant formula before the trip.
Az utazás előtt több doboz csecsemőtápszert vettek.
Formula should be prepared according to the instructions on the package.
Learner examples
The baby drinks formula.
A baba tápszert iszik.
We buy baby formula every week.
Minden héten babatápszert veszünk.
She makes the baby’s formula in the kitchen.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'formula' here with recipes or scientific formulas; in this sense, it refers specifically to baby food.
Meaning
Prepared milk substitute for babies
Collocations
baby formula
|infant formula
|prepare the formula
Synonyms
infant milk (Alternative term used in parenting contexts; less technical)
Antonyms
breast milk (Natural milk from the mother)
Themes
health
|parenting
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
Special milk made for babies when they cannot drink their mother’s milk.
A manufactured food designed to be fed to babies instead of or in addition to breast milk.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
4
NaCl is the chemical formula for salt.
A NaCl a só kémiai képlete.
The molecular formula C6H12O6 represents glucose.
A C6H12O6 molekulaképlet a glükózt jelöli.
Students learned how to write an empirical formula.
Learner examples
H2O is the chemical formula for water.
A H2O a víz kémiai képlete.
NaCl is the formula for salt.
A NaCl a só képlete.
We study formulas in chemistry class.
Meaning
Symbolic representation of chemical compound
Collocations
chemical formula
|molecular formula
|empirical formula
Synonyms
notation (General term for symbols representing information; less specific)
Themes
science
|chemistry
|education
|technology
Definition
Letters and numbers that show what is in a chemical substance.
A combination of letters and numbers that shows which elements and how many atoms of each are in a chemical substance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
formula
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹmjulə/
US/fˈɔɹmjulə/
Syllables & stress
for - mula (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (for)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: formula
- Plural: formulae, formulas, formulæ
Word family
Forms
formulae
noun
formulæ
noun
formulas
noun
Core family
formulate
verb B2
formulation
noun C1
Related words
formulaic
adjective
Advanced or less common
reformulate
verb
reformulation
noun
Expressions
baby formula
1/bˈeɪbi fˈɔɹmjulə/
fixed phrase
Milk substitute for infants
Special milk made for babies when they cannot drink their mother’s milk.
Examples
- She bought baby formula at the supermarket.
- The pediatrician advised changing the baby’s formula.
formula for success
1/fˈɔɹmjulə fɚ səksˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Method that leads to success
A way of doing things that makes you successful.
Examples
- Hard work is often seen as the formula for success.
- There’s no single formula for success in life.
mathematical formula
1/mˌæθəmˈætɪkəl fˈɔɹmjulə/
fixed phrase
technical
symbolic rule or relationship in math
A short way of writing a rule in mathematics, using symbols and numbers, that shows how to get one value from others.
Examples
- You can use this mathematical formula to find the area of a circle.
- You can use this mathematical formula to calculate the area of a circle.
- Mathematical formulas are important in engineering.
- The teacher asked us to memorize the mathematical formulas for the test.
- Scientists often create new mathematical formulas to describe what they observe.