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

Additionally, younger generations often prefer flexible, episodic volunteer opportunities over long-term commitments, which can impact traditional volunteer models. —Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 15 June 2025

There’s something comically episodic about this thing. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 10 June 2025

Under McQuarrie, the relatively episodic franchise became slightly more serialized; the ensemble around Cruise tightened, with characters like Rebecca Ferguson’s Ilsa Faust and Vanessa Kirby’s White Widow becoming recurring friends and foes. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 23 May 2025

The most fulfilling part of his job has been nurturing young writers and helping screenwriters make the leap into episodic TV. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for episodic

• periodic
• anodic
• melodic
• prosodic
• rhapsodic
• spasmodic
• antispasmodic
• aperiodic
• photoperiodic
• sodic