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 of episodic

• 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

Without this operating discipline, margin programs become episodic. — Basant Singh, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Instagram is also experimenting with longer-form storytelling, episodic series with creators, and live TV-style creator experiences. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

Karrington now operates within Upscale, working directly with the company’s development team on the translation of his novels into episodic vertical form. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

The guidelines include recommendations for less frequent, episodic migraines as well as chronic migraine, which is defined as headache on 15 or more days per month for over three months. — Isabella Cueto, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1711, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for episodic

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