boilerplate
Prefabricated contract language
Boilerplate is standardized text used repeatedly without change—contract clauses, legal disclaimers, or form letters.
The term comes from the metal plates newspapers once used for syndicated content, which arrived ready to print.
In computing, boilerplate is template code that appears in many programs with little modification.
The word often carries a dismissive tone: Skip the boilerplate and get to the actual terms.
Newspaper's ownership box
- bylineArticle author identification
- editorialPublication's official viewpoint article
- columnVertical structural element
- headlineNews article title
caption · sidebar · op-ed · subhead · footer · header · slug · dateline
Shape or document
- documentWritten or electronic file
- draftPreliminary version of text
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- formatArrangement and presentation style
outline · structure · sample · guideline · specification · wording · phrasing · language
Overused and unoriginal
- clichéOverused, unoriginal expression
- triteOverused, lacking freshness
- banalUnoriginal and dull
- derivativeFunction's rate of change
platitude · generic · prosaic · commonplace · predictable · uninspired · stale · overused
Enforceable written agreement
- clauseProvision in agreement
- disclaimerStatement denying responsibility
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
- terms and conditionsContractual requirements and rules
liability · indemnification · arbitration · compliance · jurisdiction · addendum · waiver · agreement
State of being identical
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- protocolsEstablished codes of conduct
- conformityAdherence to norms
interoperability · modularity · streamlining · harmonization · automation · efficiency · duplication · verbatim
masthead
Newspaper's ownership box
- bylineArticle author identification
- editorialPublication's official viewpoint article
- columnVertical structural element
headline · caption · sidebar · op-ed · subhead · footer · header · slug · dateline · attribution
form
Shape or document
format · outline · structure · sample · guideline · specification · wording · phrasing · language · placeholder
hackneyed
Overused and unoriginal
derivative · platitude · generic · prosaic · commonplace · predictable · uninspired · stale · overused · worn-out
contract
Enforceable written agreement
- clauseProvision in agreement
- disclaimerStatement denying responsibility
- provisionPreparatory supply or clause
terms and conditions · liability · indemnification · arbitration · compliance · jurisdiction · addendum · waiver · agreement · statute
uniformity
State of being identical
- consistencyReliable adherence to standards
- specificationsStated requirements and parameters
- protocolsEstablished codes of conduct
conformity · interoperability · modularity · streamlining · harmonization · automation · efficiency · duplication · verbatim · cut-and-paste
- developer toolsIDE, debugger, compiler, analyzer, text editor
- journalismreporters, interview, editors, student editors, school paper
- buzzwordssynergy, leverage, paradigm, stakeholder, scalable
- clichescliche, platitude, bromide, tired phrase, worn phrase
- Work JargonASAP, FYI, EOD, synergy, deliverable
- contractsbinding contracts, contract length, lease, clause, contract terms
boilerplatebespoke
Made to individual specifications
custom · tailor-made · customized · original · handcrafted
boilerplateoriginal
First or inventive
distinctive · unique · innovative · creative · novel
boilerplatenegotiable
Open to agreement
flexible · adaptable · open-ended · variable · modifiable