formulate

Everyday

1. To formulate a plan, idea or rule is to think it out carefully and put it together in detail. tree →
2. To formulate something is to express it clearly in words or symbols. tree →
3. To formulate a medicine, food or product is to make it from a particular mixture. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, pupils formulate a question and a hypothesis (a prediction) before an experiment. In maths, you formulate an equation from a word problem. In everyday life and business, companies formulate plans or new products like shampoos. Phrases: «formulate a plan», «formulate a hypothesis», «formulate a question».

Examples

• Formulate a hypothesis before you start the experiment. tree →
• The team formulated a plan to raise money for the trip. tree →
• She took a moment to formulate her answer. tree →
• Can you formulate the word problem as an equation? tree →
• The cream is formulated for sensitive skin. tree →
• Scientists formulate rules from many observations. tree →
• Her heart gave a great throb, and she prepared to speak at once and in great volume before he could formulate any question. tree →

Note

Formal. Noun: formulation. Related: formula (plural: formulae or formulas), a rule written in symbols such as A = l × w.