formulary: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “formulary” mean?
An official list of approved medicines, formulas, or set forms.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official list of approved medicines, formulas, or set forms.
A collection of established forms, principles, or procedures, especially in medicine, pharmacy, law, or religion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The core meaning is identical. In healthcare contexts, both use 'formulary' for a list of approved drugs. The term may be slightly more common in American administrative/insurance discourse.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, moderate in professional healthcare/pharmacy contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “formulary” in a Sentence
The [noun] formularyformulary of [noun]included in/on the formularyadded to/removed from the formularyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “formulary” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The non-formulary medication required special approval.
- Formulary decisions are made by the committee.
American English
- Is this a formulary drug under your plan?
- The hospital's formulary status for that antibiotic changed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in insurance or benefits management regarding covered medications.
Academic
Used in medical, pharmaceutical, historical, and theological studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Unlikely to be used by non-specialists.
Technical
Common in healthcare, pharmacy, and pharmacology. Also in historical contexts (e.g., liturgical formularies).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “formulary”
- Using 'formulary' to mean a small form (confusion with 'form').
- Pronouncing it as /fɔːrˈmjuːləri/ (stress on second syllable).
- Using it as a verb (to formulary something).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, etymologically. A formulary is essentially a collection or list of formulas, whether chemical, medicinal, or procedural.
Not personally. A formulary is an official document maintained by an institution like a hospital, insurance company, or national health body. A patient might be subject to or covered by a formulary.
A pharmacopoeia is an official book of drug standards (specifications, quality tests). A formulary is a list of drugs approved for use or reimbursement by a specific institution. A pharmacopoeia says 'what a drug is', a formulary says 'what drugs we use/pay for'.
Yes, but it's specialised. It can refer to a book of set forms in law or liturgy (e.g., a prayer book). However, the medical/pharmaceutical sense is dominant in contemporary English.
An official list of approved medicines, formulas, or set forms.
Formulary is usually formal, technical in register.
Formulary: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːmjʊləri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːrmjəleri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Off-formulary (referring to drugs not on the approved list)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FORMULARY as an official FORMULA-ry (repository) where approved formulas or drugs are listed.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FORMULARY IS A GATEKEEPER (controlling what is allowed in). A FORMULARY IS A CANON (an authoritative collection).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'formulary' MOST commonly used today?