formulaic

adjective

for·​mu·​la·​ic ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ik 

1

: produced according to a formula or set of formulas : adhering to set forms or conventions

a formulaic response

a movie with a formulaic plot

… much of the will's language was formulaic, in accordance with Venetian customs.

—Laurence Bergreen

The film … uses simple, formulaic storytelling to spin the tale of Bella, a rescued pit bull who makes her way home after a two-year walkabout.

—Katie Walsh

2

: of or relating to a mathematical formula

Those projections prompted the department to evaluate the state tax withholding tables. In September, the department found the formulaic error that had apparently been there, undetected, for at least 15 years.

—Kathryn Palmer

formulaically

ˌfȯr-myə-ˈlā-ə-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

… his songs still stick formulaically to the surface of pop entertainments.

—David Sargent

The price of admission to local social functions is often expressed formulaically as 'Gentlemen $2, ladies a plate', meaning a plate of scones or the like.

—Robert Burchfield

Synonyms

• apish
• canned
• emulative
• epigonic
• epigonous
• imitative
• mimetic
• mimic
• slavish
• unoriginal

Examples of formulaic in a Sentence

she thought the plots of most action movies were pretty formulaic

Recent Examples on the Web

The relentless focus on data, numbers and financial efficiency has created a formulaic approach to communication that lacks emotional and creative innovation. —Flavio Vidigal, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Early seasons of The Great British Baking Show celebrated English tradition with familiar recipes, but as its contestants and challenges have grown more international and creative, the formulaic judging lags behind. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024

Any real feelings on their albums are quickly overrun by generic, formulaic drivel. —Matt Thompson, SPIN, 28 Nov. 2024

But critics often called her plots formulaic, long-winded and predictable, her dialogue weak and her characters cardboard. —Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 2