précis
noun
a concise summary.
précis
American
[prey-see, prey-see]
/ preɪˈsi, ˈpreɪ si /
noun
précis
plural
verb (used with object)
precis
British
/ ˈpreɪsiː /
noun
verb
Other Word Forms
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.
As a précis to a larger, more scholarly work, it lacks the depth and historical context that many enthusiasts of classical drama may be hungry for.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
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
It made you précis in a really creative way.
From The Guardian • May 22, 2020
This would be a lot even for two acts, and at just under 30 minutes the play feels like the précis for a full-length work rather than a self-contained effort.
From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2017
On the proposed changes in the Catechism there is a long précis in the Pretyman MSS., being a summary of the correspondence of Lords Castlereagh and Hobart with Archbishop Troy and Bishop Moylan.
From William Pitt and the Great War by Rose, John Holland
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.
