synopsis
Americannoun
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synopses
plural
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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.
See Examples For:
One might navigate the new season without having watched the first, though at least reading an online synopsis.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
No synopsis of the action is offered in the printed program, and Mr. Millepied’s presumption that his audience is aware of the tragedy’s plot seems reasonable.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 9, 2026
Now, the convicted killer argues that his "torturous and inhumane" detention conditions during his trial made him incapable of making rational decisions when he pleaded guilty, according to a court synopsis of the case.
From Barron's ● Feb. 8, 2026
“The Housemaid” is far from the formulaic thriller its trailers and general synopsis suggest.
From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2026
He opened the programme and found a synopsis of the play, which he and Frankie read together.
From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick
The logline, “A woman swaps bodies with a chair, and everyone likes her better as a chair” is easily one of the funniest film synopses I’ve ever read in my life.
From Salon ● Feb. 6, 2025
Lear asked TV Guide and other publications not to include “abortion” in their pre-show synopses.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 6, 2023
Several key central bankers, including Fed Chair Jerome Powell, appear at a variety of events today, ensuring investors have plenty of commentary, and nearly similar synopses.
From Reuters ● May 19, 2023
While the pace of that declassification has slowed in recent weeks, officials have continued to release synopses of intelligence reports on various Russian plans.
From New York Times ● Aug. 22, 2022
You will find other synopses in chapters V and XX.
From Writing the Photoplay by J. Berg (Joseph Berg) Esenwein
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.
