A synergistic emulsion polymer formulation adapted for facilitating achieving desired open time or wet edge time of any aqueous coating/ paint composition on application thus result in improved workability of said paint/ coating compositions. Said synergistic emulsion polymer formulation and coating/ paint composition comprising the same comprises a latex polymer derived from copolymerization of mono-ethylenically unsaturated monomers which in combination with select sorbitol ethoxylates esterified with acids as an ingredient in the formulation/ composition favours slowing down of water evaporation from said composition considerably so that it remains amenable to touch even after several minutes of application.