formulaic

[ fawr-myuh-ley-ik ]

adjective

1. made according to a formula; composed of formulas:

   a formulaic plot.

2. being or constituting a formula:

   formulaic instructions.

Other Words From

• formu·lai·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of formulaic¹

First recorded in 1880–85; formula + -ic

Example Sentences

Do you think music biopics had become too formulaic?

From BBC

The goal was identifying the moments that viewers expect from Hallmark’s pleasingly formulaic programming — the apology, the kiss under the mistletoe — and finding a way to “gamify” them, Bennett says.

From Los Angeles Times

Movies and TV are dominated by genre storytelling held together by formulaic writing that forgoes character development, mood setting and creative plotting.

From Salon

Such formulaic manipulation has long been fundamental to claims that the Israeli government represents “the Jewish people” and criticisms of its actions are “antisemitic.”

From Salon

Adopting a more formulaic approach to medicine, it seems, is part of a natural evolution.

From Salon

Related Words

• conventional