précis
noun
a concise summary.
précis
American
[prey-see, prey-see]
/ preɪˈsi, ˈpreɪ si /
noun
plural
précisverb (used with object)
precis
British
/ ˈpreɪsiː /
noun
verb
Etymology
Origin of précis
1750–60; < French, noun use of adj., literally, cut short. See precise
Explanation
A precis is a summary of something's main points. If you've ever jotted down notes about your main ideas before writing a persuasive essay, you've used a precis. Precis looks like precise, and of course, you always want your precis to be precise. But the words are pronounced differently. Precis comes from the French word précis, so say it like this: "PRAY see." Or you can accent the other syllable: "pray SEE." The s is only pronounced if the word is plural: "PRAY sees." The spelling stays the same.
Vocabulary lists containing precis
The Picture of Dorian Gray
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English Words Derived from French, List 11
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Vocabulary from the Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, Volume I
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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.
A précis of Elmer’s early life in Maine is run through by members of the eight-person cast in the bouncy, no-nonsense manner of a graphic novel.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 27, 2025
The movie gives a moving précis of their work-life collaboration before addressing the decisions Jones made in the aftermath of Zane’s death.
From New York Times • Jul. 15, 2021
It made you précis in a really creative way.
From The Guardian • May 22, 2020
A zippy 1967 film by Jacques Tati, “Playtime,” has a scene that serves as a clean précis for “Figure It Out’s” credo.
From Washington Post • May 11, 2020
Un acte émané de leur despotique Junte avoit malgré les traités fait fermer les loges Françoises jusqu'à la reception des ordres précis de leur gouvernement, qui désapprouvait hautement cette mesure.
From Narrative of Services in the Liberation of Chili, Peru and Brazil, from Spanish and Portuguese Domination, Volume 2 by Dundonald, Thomas Cochrane, Earl of
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.
