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

The synopsis that won by a landslide was Kim Narby’s “Saturn Returning,” expected in May.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 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

If that synopsis sounds unfair, here’s how the academic authors put it: “Rather than examining a justice’s ideology or purported method of statutory and constitutional interpretation, our focus is on outcomes.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 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

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

“There have been many, many people who have come to me with synopses and scripts,” Wallace said.

From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2022

Below are synopses of a few incidents and their divergent accounts.

From Seattle Times ● May 7, 2022

It contains the names and brief synopses of over 3,500 public domain software packages, datasets and informational documents located on the Internet.

From The Online World by De Presno, Odd

Related Words

• recap
• rundown