episodic

adjective

ep·​i·​sod·​ic ˌe-pə-ˈsä-dik 

also

-ˈzä- 

variants or less commonly episodical

ˌe-pə-ˈsä-di-kəl 

 also  -ˈzä-

1

: made up of separate especially loosely connected episodes

2

: having the form of an episode

3

: of or limited in duration or significance to a particular episode : temporary

may be able to establish whether the sea-floor spreading is continuous or episodic

—A. I. Hammond

4

: occurring, appearing, or changing at usually irregular intervals : occasional

an episodic illness

episodically

ˌe-pə-ˈsä-di-k(ə-)lē 

 also  -ˈzä-

adverb

Synonyms

• periodical
• serial
• serialized

Examples of episodic in a Sentence

the long novel was filmed for television as an episodic movie that was shown over the course of five evenings

malaria is characterized by episodic attacks of chills and fever that coincide with mass destruction of blood cells

Recent Examples on the Web

Book-to-screen adaptations can struggle under television’s conventions, such as casting actors and adhering to an episodic structure with individual, complete arcs. —Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024

Today, the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the 87 feature films and six episodic projects selected for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024

It’s understood that the Queen is recovering well but continues to experience episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue. —Rachel Burchfield, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024

Newer episodic content includes Range Pickers, where Metalwood Studio founder Cole Young treasure hunts for vintage clubs at second hand shops and then plays his finds on the course. —Mike Dojc, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1