summary

[suhm-uh-ree]

noun

plural

summaries 

1. a comprehensive and usually brief abstract, recapitulation, or compendium of previously stated facts or statements.

   Synonyms: précis, outline

adjective

1. brief and comprehensive; concise.

   Synonyms: succinct, compact, condensed, short

2. direct and prompt; unceremoniously fast.

   to treat someone with summary dispatch.

   Synonyms: brusque, terse, curt

3. (of legal proceedings, jurisdiction, etc.) conducted without, or exempt from, the various steps and delays of a formal trial.

summary

/ ˈsʌmərɪ /

noun

1. a brief account giving the main points of something

adjective

1. performed arbitrarily and quickly, without formality

   a summary execution

2. (of legal proceedings) short and free from the complexities and delays of a full trial

3. the right a court has to adjudicate immediately upon some matter arising during its proceedings

4. giving the gist or essence

Other Word Forms

• summariness noun
• summarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of summary¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin summārium, equivalent to summ(a) “sum” + -ārium noun suffix; sum, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of summary¹

C15: from Latin summārium, from summa _sum ¹

Synonym Study

Summary, brief, digest, synopsis are terms for a short version of a longer work. A summary is a brief statement or restatement of main points, especially as a conclusion to a work: a summary of a chapter. A brief is a detailed outline, by heads and subheads, of a discourse (usually legal) to be completed: a brief for an argument. A digest is an abridgment of an article, book, etc., or an organized arrangement of material under heads and titles: a digest of a popular novel; a digest of Roman law. A synopsis is usually a compressed statement of the plot of a novel, play, etc.: a synopsis of Hamlet.

Example Sentences

The United Nations rights chief said Friday that he was "appalled" by the RSF's recent killing of civilians in the city, including what appeared to be ethnically motivated summary executions.

Read more on Barron's

These use a custom Gemini-based model to give users a summary of search results along with links to explore the sources on the web.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

In summary, we continue to view the market positively.

Read more on MarketWatch

A bullet point in the quick summary incorrectly said it was an 18-point lead.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

According to a summary of the BOJ’s branch managers meeting held Monday, some companies have said they would limit pay raises if their profits decline due to tariffs or a slowdown in the global economy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• analysis 
• essence 
• outline 
• prospectus 
• recap 
• rehash 
• review 
• rundown 
• sketch 
• survey 
• synopsis 
• version