formulate

/ˌfɔrmjəˈleɪt/

/ˈfɔmjəleɪt/

Other forms: formulated; formulating; formulates

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.

Definitions of formulate

1. verb

   prepare according to a formula
   type of:

   create from raw material, create from raw stuff

   make from scratch
2. verb

   elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
   synonyms: develop, explicate

   develop

   elaborate by the unfolding of a musical idea and by the working out of the rhythmic and harmonic changes in the theme

   acquire, develop, evolve

   gain through experience

   types:

   mature

   develop and work out fully in one's mind

   redevelop, reformulate

   formulate or develop again, of an improved theory or hypothesis

   type of:

   conjecture, hypothecate, hypothesise, hypothesize, speculate, suppose, theorise, theorize

   believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
3. verb

   come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort
   synonyms: contrive, devise, excogitate, forge, invent

   type of:

   create by mental act, create mentally

   create mentally and abstractly rather than with one's hands
4. verb

   put into words or an expression
   “He formulated his concerns to the board of trustees”

   synonyms: articulate, give voice, phrase, word

   types:

   ask

   direct or put; seek an answer to

   lexicalise, lexicalize

   make or coin into a word or accept a new word into the lexicon of a language

   dogmatise, dogmatize

   state as a dogma

   formularise, formularize

   express as a formula

   cast, couch, frame, put, redact

   formulate in a particular style or language

   type of:

   evince, express, show

   give expression to