précis
Americannoun
plural
précisverb (used with object)
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
He segued into a précis of his political life, starting when he was a 29-year-old senator.
From Slate • Mar. 8, 2024
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
Why is it that we cannot accost that tempting riddle and ask him to give us an accurate précis of his life to date?
From Pipefuls by Morley, Christopher
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.
