Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of formulaic
Explanation
Anything formulaic follows a formula or pattern, especially in a mechanical, by-the-numbers way. A formulaic TV show is predictable and probably similar to lots of other shows. Have you ever noticed how many songs are similar to others? When a song is almost identical to previous songs and it’s not very original at all, it's formulaic. This word usually conveys a lack of imagination. If you call a movie formulaic, you're saying it's so much like other movies that it probably didn't need to be made. A formulaic speech follows a pattern that's been used many times before. The opposite of formulaic is original.
Vocabulary lists containing formulaic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
What follows is a mostly formulaic “Toy Story” plot: A small yet drastic change has occurred, the toys are separated and they must all band together to reunite for the good of their kid.
From Salon ● Jun. 21, 2026
“They’re often dry, formulaic and almost meaningless. It’s better if you tell your own story.”
From MarketWatch ● May 19, 2026
Rosenblatt’s play, though formulaic at times, contains a twist worthy of Dahl himself, as the protagonist grows more monstrous as he digs deeper into his righteous convictions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 2026
A significant subset of them are formulaic in style—expository, structured, smooth, coherent and impersonal, traits that overlap with AI-generated prose.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026
Though not nearly so spectacular, this manifestation of grief for Bunny was in many ways a similar phenomenon—an affirmation of community, a formulaic expression of homage and dread.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
