Word
episodic
Phoneticsepisod·ic
US/ˌɛpəˈsɑdɪk/
UK/ˌɛpɪsˈɒdɪk/
Definition
adj. happening in short, separate parts rather than as one long, continuous story. You use this to describe things like TV shows or memories that come in pieces.
adj. consisting of or occurring in distinct, separate episodes or parts. Often describes narrative structures or memory patterns where information is stored in isolated chunks rather than as a continuous sequence.
Examples
“The show is episodic, so each episode can be watched alone.”
“The witness provided an episodic account of the accident, recalling specific moments but struggling to connect them into a single timeline.”
“While the overall history of the region is well-documented, the daily lives of its inhabitants remain largely episodic, preserved only in fragmented oral traditions and local folklore.”
Examples
simple
“The show is episodic, so each episode can be watched alone.”
contextual
“The witness provided an episodic account of the accident, recalling specific moments but struggling to connect them into a single timeline.”
complex
“While the overall history of the region is well-documented, the daily lives of its inhabitants remain largely episodic, preserved only in fragmented oral traditions and local folklore.”
Real-World Examples
“The study found that fathers handled many of the tasks researchers described as "episodic" - things that happen less often, such as remembering when to get the car serviced.” Etymology
From episode + -ic. Compare French épisodique.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/episodic