synopsis
Americannoun
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a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject.
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a compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving a view of the whole.
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a brief summary of the plot of a novel, motion picture, play, etc.
noun
Synonym Usage
See summary.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of synopsis
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin, from Greek sýnopsis, equivalent to syn- syn- + op- (suppletive stem of horân “to see”; cf. autopsy) + -sis -sis
Explanation
Synopsis is a noun meaning summary. Instead of reciting every line of the Shakespeare play you were assigned to read over the weekend, it might be more helpful for your classmates if you give them a synopsis of what happened. The ancient Greek word synopsis means “general view.” Synonyms include abridgment, as in a shortened version of a book, and brief, which is a legal word, and sketch, which is a quick outline of a story. Other synonyms include abstract, compendium, digest (the noun form), and conspectus.
Vocabulary lists containing synopsis
List 5
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Common Senses: Op, Ops, Opt ("Sight")
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Whether Milei’s online attacks have directly influenced legislative votes is difficult to measure, said Lucas Romero, director of Synopsis Consultores, a Buenos Aires consulting firm.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Synopsis, which makes software used to test and develop chips, rose 6.9% after raising its profit forecast.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 22, 2024
“This is a triumph that is less due to Milei and his peculiarities and particularities and more to the demand for change,” said Lucas Romero, the head of Synopsis, a local political consulting firm.
From Washington Times • Nov. 19, 2023
Synopsis: If you’re not a fan of modern architecture or cutting-edge home design, a film festival dedicated to architecture and design might sound a little dry.
From Washington Post • Jan. 19, 2023
In the Synopsis of Four-footed animals and Serpents, he commences with an interesting discussion respecting the nature and faculties of animals.
From Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus with Introductory remarks on the Study of Natural History by MacGillivray, William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
