synopsis

American  

[si-nop-sis] / sɪˈnɒp sɪs /

noun

synopses plural

1. a brief or condensed statement giving a general view of some subject.

2. a compendium of heads or short paragraphs giving a view of the whole.

3. a brief summary of the plot of a novel, motion picture, play, etc.

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synopsis British  

/ sɪˈnɒpsɪs /

noun

1. a condensation or brief review of a subject; summary

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Synonym Usage

See summary.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• synopses
  plural

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

synopsis synopses

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

Much like ballet, kabuki necessitates precise choreographed actions: Not only does “Kokuho” provide generous samples of different kabuki pieces but also includes captions that list the title of the individual works and a brief synopsis.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 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

Some genres, such as the scholarly journal article, force an author to lay out her point in a summary, an abstract, or a synopsis.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

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

“Megalopolis” isn’t well-served by synopses that call it a “city poem” or yoke its wild ambitions to ancient Rome’s power struggles or municipal intrigue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2024

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

Having finished these synopses, Mr Ray considered his labours at an end,—a consummation which gave him the more joy, because he had for several years suffered severely in his health.

From Lives of Eminent Zoologists, from Aristotle to Linnæus with Introductory remarks on the Study of Natural History by MacGillivray, William

Related Words

• recap
• rundown