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

Because of the surplus of algorithmic, formulaic AI language, students who learn to write elegantly, experiment with form and language, and subvert expectations in their prose will stand out in the competitive admissions landscape. —Christopher Rim, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

She’s gotten no explanation beyond that one, formulaic March 10 email dispatched to the university. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2025

The Trump administration’s formulaic tariff plan aims to level the playing field, offering a carrot for others to lower their barriers, with our response in kind. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 Apr. 2025

The script is informative, if a bit formulaic in style, with each character taking turns telling their stories. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for formulaic

• algebraic
• aramaic
• ptolemaic
• syngeneic
• allogeneic
• photovoltaic
• altaic
• archaic
• deltaic
• hebraic
• mosaic
• oleic