# formal vs formula

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### formal
*adjective · IPA /ˈfɔɹməl/ · frequency rank #3,300*
In accordance with established forms.

### formula
*noun · IPA /ˈfɔː.mjʊ.lə/ · frequency rank #3,301*
Any mathematical rule expressed symbolically.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/formal-vs-formula